What began as a wave of protest in Los Angeles is now spreading across the United States, with growing demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement operations. According to the Associated Press, protests have already erupted in cities including Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C., and more are expected in the days ahead.
From coast to coast, demonstrators have marched through city centers, blocked roads, and gathered outside immigration courts and federal buildings, chanting slogans and carrying signs opposing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. While most protests have remained peaceful, several cities have reported violent clashes, vandalism, and arrests.
Seattle saw around 50 people demonstrate outside the downtown immigration court. Protesters chanted “Free Them All” and “Abolish ICE,” placing scooters at entrances before police arrived. Legal observers and media were barred from entering the building.
In New York City, a mass rally unfolded in lower Manhattan. Demonstrators marched from two immigration court buildings, holding signs like “ICE out of New York” while chanting at police. Authorities confirmed multiple arrests but no immediate charges.
Chicago protesters gathered outside the city’s immigration court, opposing both ICE raids and military deployment in California. The peaceful demonstration grew to about 1,000 participants by Tuesday evening.
In Denver, demonstrators rallied at the Colorado state capitol, holding signs with anti-ICE slogans. The crowd eventually split into two marching groups, disrupting traffic. Police later blocked nearby streets but did not initially intervene.
In Santa Ana, near Los Angeles, authorities deployed armored vehicles and National Guard troops to secure the Civic Center, where ICE and other agencies are based. Protesters clashed with a handful of counter-protesters, and cleanup crews were seen erasing graffiti and clearing debris left from the previous night.
Austin experienced one of the more violent escalations. On Monday night, four officers were injured as police deployed tear gas and pepper spray balls to disperse a crowd of several hundred. Protesters attempted to spray paint the federal building and threw rocks and bottles at law enforcement. Police arrested a total of 13 individuals. Officials warned they are bracing for larger demonstrations planned for Saturday.
In Dallas, hundreds protested on a city bridge before police declared the event an “unlawful assembly.” Officers used pepper spray and smoke to clear the area after objects were thrown. One protester was arrested. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reiterated on social media that while peaceful protest is allowed, crossing the line will result in arrests.
Boston also saw major mobilization on Monday as hundreds rallied in City Hall Plaza to demand the release of union leader David Huerta, detained during ICE operations in Los Angeles. Huerta was released later on a $50,000 bond. Protesters held signs declaring solidarity with Los Angeles and denounced anti-immigrant policies.
In Washington, D.C., labor unions and activists held rallies outside the Department of Justice. Among them was U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who condemned the ICE raids and law enforcement’s use of force. “Enough of these mass ICE raids that are sweeping up innocent people,” she said. “People exercising their rights are being met with tear gas and rubber bullets.”
As tensions rise and protests spread, officials across the country are preparing for a volatile weekend that may define the public's response to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
From coast to coast, demonstrators have marched through city centers, blocked roads, and gathered outside immigration courts and federal buildings, chanting slogans and carrying signs opposing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. While most protests have remained peaceful, several cities have reported violent clashes, vandalism, and arrests.
Protests Intensify Nationwide
In San Francisco, about 200 people rallied outside the city’s immigration court on Tuesday following multiple arrests earlier in the week. Weekend protests swelled to thousands, with over 150 people arrested. Police reported vandalism, damaged vehicles, and injuries to two officers. Authorities stressed that peaceful protest is protected, but violence will not be tolerated.Seattle saw around 50 people demonstrate outside the downtown immigration court. Protesters chanted “Free Them All” and “Abolish ICE,” placing scooters at entrances before police arrived. Legal observers and media were barred from entering the building.
In New York City, a mass rally unfolded in lower Manhattan. Demonstrators marched from two immigration court buildings, holding signs like “ICE out of New York” while chanting at police. Authorities confirmed multiple arrests but no immediate charges.
Chicago protesters gathered outside the city’s immigration court, opposing both ICE raids and military deployment in California. The peaceful demonstration grew to about 1,000 participants by Tuesday evening.
In Denver, demonstrators rallied at the Colorado state capitol, holding signs with anti-ICE slogans. The crowd eventually split into two marching groups, disrupting traffic. Police later blocked nearby streets but did not initially intervene.
In Santa Ana, near Los Angeles, authorities deployed armored vehicles and National Guard troops to secure the Civic Center, where ICE and other agencies are based. Protesters clashed with a handful of counter-protesters, and cleanup crews were seen erasing graffiti and clearing debris left from the previous night.
Austin experienced one of the more violent escalations. On Monday night, four officers were injured as police deployed tear gas and pepper spray balls to disperse a crowd of several hundred. Protesters attempted to spray paint the federal building and threw rocks and bottles at law enforcement. Police arrested a total of 13 individuals. Officials warned they are bracing for larger demonstrations planned for Saturday.
In Dallas, hundreds protested on a city bridge before police declared the event an “unlawful assembly.” Officers used pepper spray and smoke to clear the area after objects were thrown. One protester was arrested. Texas Governor Greg Abbott reiterated on social media that while peaceful protest is allowed, crossing the line will result in arrests.
Boston also saw major mobilization on Monday as hundreds rallied in City Hall Plaza to demand the release of union leader David Huerta, detained during ICE operations in Los Angeles. Huerta was released later on a $50,000 bond. Protesters held signs declaring solidarity with Los Angeles and denounced anti-immigrant policies.
In Washington, D.C., labor unions and activists held rallies outside the Department of Justice. Among them was U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who condemned the ICE raids and law enforcement’s use of force. “Enough of these mass ICE raids that are sweeping up innocent people,” she said. “People exercising their rights are being met with tear gas and rubber bullets.”
More Protests Planned
Activists are planning nationwide "No Kings" protests on Saturday, designed to coincide with President Donald Trump’s scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C. Organizers hope to turn out larger crowds in response to what they describe as an unconstitutional crackdown on immigrant communities.As tensions rise and protests spread, officials across the country are preparing for a volatile weekend that may define the public's response to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
