Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday expressed concern over the ongoing protests and aggressive immigration enforcement measures unfolding in Los Angeles, urging Indian nationals in the region to remain cautious.
Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry is “closely monitoring the situation” and confirmed that the Indian consulate in San Francisco is in touch with local authorities.
“We are aware of the developments,” Jaiswal said, referring to large-scale protests and a sweeping immigration crackdown launched by U.S. authorities. “We advise all Indian nationals in the region to take suitable precautions.”
The advisory comes amid escalating unrest in Los Angeles following a series of immigration raids carried out last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The raids, which began on June 6, targeted multiple neighbourhoods in and around downtown Los Angeles. In just a few hours, ICE agents detained over 100 undocumented immigrants as part of a broader federal push to meet a national arrest quota of 3,000 per day.
The raids have sparked widespread protests, drawing thousands of demonstrators, including immigrant rights groups, students, faith leaders, and families to the streets. Protesters have gathered outside ICE offices and Los Angeles City Hall, demanding an immediate halt to the detentions and the release of those already taken into custody.
In response to the growing unrest, President Donald Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, a move that has triggered sharp backlash from California leaders. Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have condemned the deployment as unconstitutional and politically motivated. The state has since filed a legal challenge to block federal troops from engaging in law enforcement activities within California.
The protests mark another flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration policy in the United States. Los Angeles, home to a large immigrant population, has long resisted federal immigration crackdowns and positioned itself as a sanctuary city, setting the stage for a deepening confrontation between state and federal authorities.