Latest news with #Angelinos
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Is LA Traffic Really Down Because of ICE Raids?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For weeks, claims have been circulating online that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Los Angeles have led to a sudden and notable drop in traffic on the city's notoriously congested streets and highways. Videos and screenshots of live-traffic data posted across social media suggest quieter routes and even unheard-of travel times across the sprawling metropolitan area, with some MAGA supporters — and even the White House itself — tying it to a theory that the roads are less crowded because scores of illegal immigrants have either been detained, self-deported or are afraid to leave their homes because of ICE. When asked by Newsweek about those claims, California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla said "Trump's cruel and inhumane mass deportation agenda has turned communities across Los Angeles into ghost towns." But claims of an empty 405 freeway, or blazing-fast commutes from the beach to the valley, have received pushback from some longtime Angelinos. They say the dip in traffic volume is being taken out of context, with schools out for summer, the July 4 holiday weekend and general seasonal slowness having more to do with any decrease in congestion drivers have noticed across the city than federal immigration enforcement actions. Protestors chant and hold signs reading Honk Stop ICE Raids and Honk ICE Out while demonstrating in traffic outside 9200 Sunset on June 13 2025 in Los Angeles California USA. Protestors chant and hold signs reading Honk Stop ICE Raids and Honk ICE Out while demonstrating in traffic outside 9200 Sunset on June 13 2025 in Los Angeles California USA. MADISON SWART/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images In 2024, the LA metro area was ranked 35 in the world for congestion by TomTom, the GPS navigation company. It took an average of 13 minutes and 31 seconds to do a 6-mile trip, with some of the most heavily-congested areas in the downtown and Santa Monica areas. As one might expect, the busiest times to travel were on weekdays, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and starting around 2 p.m. through 6 p.m. Then over the past two weeks, with widespread ICE activity in the area, screenshots of Google Maps and other apps with traffic data have gone viral, showing — in some cases — relatively empty streets. Holy Mother of G-d, it's REAL — AJAC (@AJA_Cortes) July 10, 2025 The theory made it onto Fox News, with host Jesse Watters stating on July 9: "There is no traffic on the freeway. You can go on the 405 and go 65 miles an hour. Trump has literally reduced traffic in Los Angeles." White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump's immigration policies and a Southern California native, reshared a video of a deserted 101 freeway, commenting: "What if, this entire time, the key to fixing our cities was enforcing our immigration laws?" In the days following, those claims received pushback, with locals pointing out that the city is often quieter over the holiday weekend, and that traffic can be calmer in the summer with schools on their annual break. The video clip shared by Miller was posted on July 9 and was said to be taken that Monday morning, coming off the holiday weekend. The clip's provenance could not be independently confirmed. "The level of misinformation about this is nuts. There's been no significant impact to traffic in LA," wrote Jason Lemus, an insurance claims adjuster and Los Angeles resident. The level of misinformation about this is nuts. There's been no significant impact to traffic in LA. Here's the current snapshot on a weekday at 11am. And it'll get progressively worse as we get closer to rush hour. — Jason (@JLemus) July 10, 2025 On July 14, a Monday morning, live traffic data from TomTom and analyzed by Newsweek showed around 39 traffic jams, with a travel time of nearly 15 minutes for a 6-mile journey as of 7:35 a.m. The same trip climbed to over 17 minutes by 8:15 a.m. with upwards of 70 traffic jams noted across the city. The travel conditions did not appear significantly different from the same time a week prior. An L.A. County official with the Department of Public Works told Newsweek that it was difficult to draw a correlation between federal immigration enforcement and traffic levels in the area, and that summer was generally a quieter time on the roads. The official did note that regular community events put on by the DPW were seeing lower turnout compared to past years. To be sure, the impact of ICE raids has been acutely felt across the L.A. metro area. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security said its agencies had arrested about 2,800 immigrants in Los Angeles since the beginning of June, a three-fold increase over prior months this year. On Monday, Los Angeles' Democratic Mayor Karen Bass said she would give cash assistance to immigrants affected by the raids, while a judge stepped in to try and limit the federal government's actions. The White House has been clear that it is taking significant steps to crack down on illegal immigration in the area, along with other so-called sanctuary cities, in an effort to deliver on the president's promise of mass deportations. But Padilla told Newsweek that federal agents were targeting law-abiding people across the city, and the effects of the sweeps were not limited to immigrant communities. "Instead of going after criminals, this administration has chosen to double down on raiding workplaces and profiling people who are out driving, creating widespread fear and panic that is hurting our economy and society," the senator said.
Business Insider
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Insider
A New Yorker's guide to Prime Day deals, from space-saving tech to comfortable walking shoes
Hello, New York! After a quick trip to Rhode Island for the holiday weekend, I'm back in my favorite place in the world to report on all the best Prime Day deals. When I moved to the city five years ago, I was amazed by all the budget-conscious life hacks that New Yorkers have perfected. One device every apartment needs is a white noise machine, like this portable one on sale for $16.88. What do Angelinos know about schlepping? Not as much as the average Brooklyn granny, I'll bet you that. It takes a shrewd knowledge to keep up with the hustle and bustle here, so with the help of my colleagues and fellow city dwellers, I've curated all the best Prime Day deals for urban living. The forecast here can change on a dime, so I recommend a compact, windproof Weatherman travel umbrella, on sale for $55. To protect your lungs from summer smog, I suggest the Coway Air Purifier while it's down to just $155. For more savvy online shopping tips, check out our guide to the best Reddit Prime Day deals.
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Border czar Tom Homan tells 'Pod Force One' that ICE crackdown on Mexican, Colombian drug cartels preceded LA riots
Border czar Tom Homan revealed in an exclusive sit-down with Post columnist Miranda Devine that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were originally sent to Los Angeles as part of a crackdown on sources of drug cartel funding — before the city descended into riots and looting. In a new episode of 'Pod Force One,' Homan disclosed that this month's Los Angeles clashes over ICE enforcement came after officers had served criminal arrest warrants for 'money laundering, tax evasion' and other cartel-linked crimes — and rounded up 'child sexual predators, rapists, [and] murderers.' Every week, Post columnist Miranda Devine sits down for exclusive and candid conversations with the most influential disruptors in Washington. Subscribe here! 'There is [a] strong suspicion that some of that funding is sent to Mexico and Colombia to fund cartel activity,' Homan told Devine of the underlying criminal probe. 'It was a criminal operation, a criminal investigation and criminal search warrant,' the border czar said, referencing 'millions of dollars' in potential cartel revenue. 'But right away, the left went nuts.' California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats, denounced the ICE raids that resulted in the apprehension of more than 100 illegal migrants – including five gang members and others with past criminal charges of assault, cruelty to children and robbery. 'Everybody talked about the racist ICE, even members of Congress and yeah, Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass,' Homan recalled on the podcast. 'The truth was, look at who we arrested. Look at the warrants we served.' Newsom, in a primetime address posted to his X account June 11, denounced what he called 'large-scale workplace raids' by the Trump administration, which he said were 'targeting hardworking immigrant families.' 4 Homan told Devine that ICE officers served warrants for money laundering, tax evasion and other cartel-linked crimes in LA. Tamara Beckwith 4 'Everybody talked about the racist ICE, even members of Congress and yeah, Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass,' Homan recalled on the podcast. 'The truth was, look at who we arrested. Look at the warrants we served.' Barbara Davidson/NYPost 'In response, everyday Angelinos came out to exercise their Constitutional right to free speech and assembly, to protest their government's actions,' the governor added. 'In turn, the State of California and the City and County of Los Angeles sent our police officers to help keep the peace and, with some exceptions, they were successful.' The riots will end up costing Los Angeles taxpayers as much as $20 million for police overtime and repairs to damaged city property, according to the Los Angeles Times. Trump initially dispatched 2,000 California National Guard members to restore order — as photos and video of rioters waving Mexican flags and setting fire to cop cars rocketed around social media — in a move that Newsom also denounced in his video message as a 'brazen abuse of power.' Full episode Newsom's administration later sued Trump for deploying the Guard members, but an appeals court ruled in favor of the Republican administration. Homan himself caused controversy by suggesting that Newsom and Bass had opened themselves up to possible criminal prosecution for allegedly thwarting federal law enforcement operations. 'We're trying to shut down cartel activity, which is killing Americans. We're trying to take the worst of the worst off the streets of LA,' the border czar told Devine. 4 Newsom, in a primetime address posted to his X account as the riots raged in Los Angeles, denounced the 'large-scale workplace raids' by the Trump admin 'targeting hardworking immigrant families.' JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 4 Photos and video of rioters waving Mexican flags and setting fire to cop cars took off on social media. Toby Canham for NY Post 'You would think the mayor and the governor … will say … 'Thank you for making our state safer,' because every criminal threat we take off the streets of LA makes that city more safe,' Homan added. 'Protest all you want,' he warned. 'We have teams out in LA today, we'll have teams out in LA tomorrow. We're going to keep doing … what we're doing. You're not gonna stop us.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic Senator Violently Dragged Out of Kristi Noem Presser
California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference in Los Angeles featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday. The secretary was present to discuss recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the area. The lawmaker was manhandled out of the room as he attempted to ask Noem a question about ICE. 'I am Senator Alex Padilla,' he can be heard saying as two men grabbed him. When he was pushed out of a pair of double doors, Padilla was heard shouting, 'Hands off!' Multiple men were involved in shoving the lawmaker, before Padilla was handcuffed on the ground by three FBI agents. Padilla was reportedly ushered out of the room after he told Noem that 'you insist on exaggerating,' according to NBC Los Angeles. The incident didn't appear to bother Noem, who continued speaking with reporters without missing a beat. 'We are not going away,' Noem said, moments before Padilla was removed, according to Independent reporter Justin Baragona. 'We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.' Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported that he and his team witnessed Padilla being 'taken to the ground' and detained outside the room. Another angle of the incident showed an FBI agent warning the videographer that recording was not allowed in the hallway, citing FBI regulations. 'When I leave here I'll have a conversation with him, but I think everyone would agree that wasn't appropriate,' Noem said. 'When I leave here I'll find him and visit and find out really what his concerns were. I think everybody in America would agree that that wasn't appropriate, that if you wanted to have a civil discussion, especially as a leader, a public official, that you would reach out and try to have a conversation,' she added. The lawmaker's detention follows days of protests across Los Angeles, in which thousands of Angelinos have taken to the streets to visibly reject the Trump administration's anti-immigration agenda. Protesters have blocked off major freeways, trashed Waymos (self-driving cars), and organized outside City Hall and the Metropolitan Detention Center. In reaction, law enforcement officials shot rubber bullets and fired tear gas and flash bangs into crowds of civilians. The FBI added protesters suspected of throwing rocks at police cars to its Most Wanted list and issued an ominous threat Monday to intervene in the anti-Trump display without guidance from California or the White House. Hours later, California sued the federal government to roll back Trump's deployment of 4,100 National Guard members that state authorities said had not been authorized or requested to handle the protests. California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed Trump's decision as 'illegal' and a 'brazen abuse of power' that had only further 'inflamed a combustible situation. 'When Donald Trump sought blanket authority to commandeer the National Guard. he made that order apply to every state in this nation,' Newsom said. 'This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.' In another decision that nobody responsible for overseeing peace in Los Angeles wanted, Trump additionally deployed 700 Marines to the City of Angels, an initiative that Defense officials revealed Tuesday would cost U.S. taxpayers $134 million. The president had also claimed that the Los Angeles Police Department had requested the White House's assistance—a claim that Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell vehemently refuted. Trump also endorsed threats to arrest Newsom when the California governor began to hit back, telling reporters that he'd 'do it.' This story has been updated.
1News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
'Trump wants chaos': On the frontline of the LA protests
Rubber bullets. Tear gas. Fireworks. Graffiti. The never-ending chanting. This is Downtown Los Angeles, which has found itself the epicentre of protests against immigration raids. US Correspondent Logan Church reports from the front lines in Los Angeles. This all kicked off when federal immigration agents – colloquially referred to here as "ICE" – began raiding businesses and arrested dozens of "illegal immigrants". Donald Trump's administration calls these people "violent criminals" and "terrorists". Some are. Some are not. Some are just dads. Members of the community with people who love them. All of them, though, live in what is probably the most migrant friendly city in America – Los Angeles. ADVERTISEMENT And Angelinos are furious. Speaking from Los Angeles, 1News US correspondent Logan Church said "people here are deeply angry". (Source: Breakfast) As soon as I drove into the centre of the city, the first thing I noticed was the graffiti. Everywhere. All federal buildings were covered in messages – the most common being the simple "f*** ICE". People were casually adding more as I walked past, not caring if I filmed them. Most welcomed it. The second thing I noticed was the huge numbers of police and federal guards. They surrounded all those buildings like an army. And when protestors got too close – or the odd one threw something – they shot rubber bullets and tear gas. Standing a few blocks from the front line, a young protestor came running up, asking if I had seen a medic. He pointed frantically to an older man sitting on a bench with blood pouring down his tattered trousers. He'd just been shot with a rubber bullet. What was more surreal was seeing the line of police less than 5m away, doing nothing to help. 1News US Correspondent Logan Church reports from the front lines in downtown Los Angeles. (Source: 1News) Talking to protestors this week, they told me they were furious about the ICE raids – and that was why they were there. But they were even more angry about what they called a heavy-handed police response directed by Trump. ADVERTISEMENT "He's wanting to cause chaos," one protestor told me. "He's wanting to incite fear and cause violence in order to do martial law on us. He wants to enact something so he can have more rule over us and I don't stand for that." Another man said the reason he'd come out to protest was simple. "Everything they are doing is illegal, so when someone breaks the law you've gotta come and make sure they follow the law." Authorities stand in tear gas while trying to clear protesters at the metropolitan detention centre in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following last night's immigration raid protest. (Source: Associated Press) Perhaps the most fascinating chat I had though was with a pair of Kiwis who just happened to walk past where I was filming. They'd decided to join the demonstrators as they marched around the city. "We just arrived in LA about an hour ago, we are staying in downtown LA and we could hear the sirens, we could hear the helicopters, so we decided to go for a walk to check it out," said Tiana Griffin. "We had to join because this is the equivalent of the Te Tiriti Hikoi, fighting for the greater good, fighting for the most vulnerable communities. The people that are serving this country, it makes you want to sob at the mamae that you feel for these people is the same mamae that you feel for Māori in Aotearoa at the moment. So we had to. We were just drawn to it." ADVERTISEMENT "This felt like home," added Meretini. "We are standing in the middle of something that resonated for the both of us, having walked the hikoi down to government and this is their form of it — and everyone is really worried at home about how it would be for us in LA, but really this has been the best introduction to LA – to be able to stand with their people." For the pair, joining the marchers was an easy decision. "It's meaningful – our children are telling us to stay safe and stay out of trouble – but this is so peaceful. This is exactly like the Te Tiriti marches that we had in Aotearoa. Everyone is carrying their flags calling out in Spanish – I wish I knew what they were saying so we can join in but it's the same feeling, it's the same aroha as our marches back home." In my travels throughout America, I have met many people who believe that illegal immigrants are the cause of much of the country's woes. They're concerned about jobs not being available, housing costs rising, and crime. I've also met people deeply concerned about their friends, family, and neighbours, being increasingly treated as lesser beings by this country's leaders. As a reporter who has covered countless protests at home and here in America, I can confidently say this one in Los Angeles feels different. ADVERTISEMENT It's a city that has birthed protest movements that have swept the nation, and this feels just like that.
