LOS ANGELES — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployed a large number of agents to Los Angeles last summer. Several immigrants died while being pursued during these immigration enforcement operations, which also prompted mass protests.

On June 6 last year, masked federal agents arrested workers at Ambiance Apparel in the Los Angeles fashion district. On the same day, nearly two dozen workers were arrested by federal agents at the MacArthur Park Home Depot in Los Angeles. Fourteen members of Citlali Fermin's family were arrested during the Ambiance Apparel operation.

On June 12 last year, immigration agents pinned Brian Gavidia against a gate at his workplace. Gavidia, a U.S. citizen, subsequently closed his used-car refurbishing business and dealership following the enforcement operations. In August last year, border patrol agents used a rental truck to arrest workers at the MacArthur Park Home Depot.

A federal court ordered federal agents to halt raids and racial profiling in July. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned that federal court ruling in September. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) submitted an amended legal complaint challenging the Supreme Court ruling.

ICE transferred detained individuals out of state or removed them from the country. Mutual aid networks formed across Los Angeles to assist immigrants during the enforcement operations. Elizabeth Brennan, a Warehouse Workers Resource Center advocate, stated, "But if you start to look close, it’s like we have little missing teeth, everywhere."

Gavidia's case is included in a class-action lawsuit that alleges racial profiling. He stated, "It was painful, but it wasn't safe for her." He added, "I was devastated." Gavidia also said, "I feel a responsibility. I want us all to feel safe again." Frederico, a laborer and security guard who migrated from Guatemala to the U.S. in 1998, said, "Until the mandate of the president ends, we are going to be in danger. It hasn't been safe since then, and it's not safe now." Eleven of Fermin's family members arrested earlier in June were released after a public campaign. Lorena resumed selling tamales in Koreatown after staying indoors during the enforcement operations.