California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles to identify and detain migrants. In a recent interview addressing ongoing protests, Newsom highlighted the growing anxiety among residents, stating, “People are scared to walk down the streets—not just near Home Depot or car washes. I was skeptical at first when ICE denied it, but then I saw videos of checkpoints where officers stopped people to check their IDs. We have never seen such a large-scale operation. There is mass panic here in the nation’s largest county and state.”
Newsom’s comments echo numerous reports on social media, where residents have documented ICE checkpoints set up to stop individuals and verify their citizenship. Those suspected of being undocumented are frequently detained and subject to deportation, reflecting policies intensified under the Trump administration, which has led to hundreds of daily expulsions.
Widespread Checkpoints Across California
For several months, immigrants and advocates have reported the presence of ICE checkpoints on major streets in cities such as Sacramento and San Diego. The immigrant rights group Immigrants Rising has identified at least ten checkpoints across the state, including locations in San Clemente, Escondido, Pine Valley, and Sunshine Summit.
At these checkpoints, vehicles are stopped and passengers asked to provide their names or proof of identity. Previously, immigration officers required reasonable suspicion to detain someone, even if the individual had prior misdemeanors. However, recent policy changes have expanded authorities’ powers to arrest many people regardless of immigration status or criminal history, often resulting in immediate deportations without due process.
According to a report by Ark Republic, recent ICE operations in Latino communities in California have also involved FBI agents. Additionally, local police and the National Guard have reportedly closed streets and created detention corridors to process large numbers of detainees. These measures coincide with protests in Los Angeles opposing immigrant detentions.
Know Your Rights When Approached by ICE
If approached by ICE agents on the street, in a vehicle, or in public spaces, individuals have rights they can exercise to protect themselves. The first step is to ask, “Am I free to leave?” If the answer is yes, the person can walk away. If not, they have the right to remain silent and should clearly state, “I don’t want to answer any questions” and “I want to speak to my lawyer.”
Individuals are not legally required to disclose their immigration status, place of origin, or provide documents unless presented with a valid court order. They can also refuse searches of their belongings by stating, “You do not have my permission to conduct this search.” Despite these protections, many migrants have reported rights violations, with some being deported immediately following detention.
As ICE checkpoints continue amid heightened tensions in California, awareness of legal rights remains crucial for vulnerable communities.
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