The Thorn West is a state and local news roundup compiled by volunteer members of DSA-LA. Our goal is to provide a weekly update on the latest developments in state and local politics, and to track the issues that are most important to our membership.

Issue No. 234 - June 20, 2025

City Politics

• A series of anti-immigrant raids, conducted by ICE and other federal immigration agencies, under the direction of the Trump administration, has continued across the Los Angeles area for the past two weeks, and shows no sign of letting up. Raids have targeted workplaces and court hearings, characterized by law enforcement violence, racial profiling, and indiscriminate arrests and seizures. Agents have often been wearing masks or plain clothes. Sustained resistance over this time has been met with unprovoked police violence. A summary of events from last week can be heard in this presentation to city council from the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. DSA-LA solidarity statement here.

• Most of those who have been arrested are being held at a facility in Adelanto, and many have reported difficulty communicating with family or with attorneys. The center is over capacity, and inhumane conditions have been reported. A delegation of congressmembers was illegally denied entry this week.

• Following Trump’s re-election, Los Angeles passed legislation designating it a sanctuary city, meaning no city agency, including the LAPD, can collude with federal immigration enforcement. However, the LAPD has evaded this law by providing buffer zones around these raids, and are responsible for much of the violence against protesters. Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez, and Hugo Soto-Martinez introduced (warning: large PDF link) a series of motions today intended to investigate and prevent such collaborations.

• Following a raid in Paramount that drew sustained protests, President Trump seized control of the state’s National Guard, and has deployed 4,000 members of the guard along with 700 marines to occupy the Los Angeles area. A lawsuit initiated by Governor Newsom attempted to regain control of the National Guard. However, yesterday an initially favorable ruling was overturned on appeal, meaning the occupation will continue.

• Though Mayor Bass has opposed the Trump administration’s raids, she also initiated a curfew across the downtown Los Angeles area, which has been the site of sustained protest. This curfew has led to arrests, as well as the interruption of public transportation service. The curfew was lifted this week.

• At a press event in Los Angeles, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that the federal government was here to “liberate this city from the socialists.” At the same meeting, California Senator Alex Padilla was put in handcuffs by federal agents after asking a question in opposition.

• The Los Angeles City Council’s draft of the upcoming year’s budget was signed by the mayor. The council’s draft mitigated some of the service cuts implemented in the mayor’s draft, shifting some funding from LAPD recruitment. The council president and mayor reportedly reached a deal to restore that funding should LAPD recruitment exceed 240 officers, but Budget & Finance committee member Bob Blumenfield denies being a part of such an agreement.

• LAPD has requested millions of dollars to cover overtime pay for enforcement at anti-ICE protests. Estimates for liability being incurred by the city for LAPD violence against protestors range as high as $100 million.

• LA Public Press covers a series of protest actions at hotels where ICE agents are known to be staying .

Labor

• Los Angeles’ recently-passed Living Wage Ordinance, which mandates that all tourism workers make at least $30 an hour wage, is still under threat, as airlines and hotels are gathering signatures for a ballot measure that would overturn the ordinance. DSA-LA is organizing a counter-canvass this Saturday and Sunday, as well as next weekend.