Statement from Amada Armenta, faculty director at the Latino Policy and Politics Institute:

“The recent ICE raids carried out in Los Angeles— followed by the arrest of protestors and the unilateral deployment of the National Guard—are an unconscionable use of state power to terrorize immigrant communities and their allies. These actions do not make us safer. They are designed to instill fear, disrupt lives, and punish immigrant Angelenos who contribute to the social and economic fabric of our neighborhoods.

“At the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, we believe in a democracy that values every community, not one that targets people based on immigration status or ZIP code. The use of military tactics to silence dissent and normalize aggressive enforcement tactics sets a dangerous precedent.

“As researchers and advocates, we will continue to challenge policies that criminalize presence and protest. Our communities deserve dignity, not intimidation. And we stand with all those demanding the right to live and work with dignity.”