Fury and fear rise across US as Trump's immigration enforcement intensifies

Live Events
After night fell on the outskirts of Los Angeles on Thursday, around 50 people clanged metal pots and blasted air horns outside a hotel in a noisy bedtime protest targeting US immigration agents.The "No Sleep For ICE" rally underscored growing anger at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a once obscure agency that has become the focal point of President Donald Trump 's migrant crackdown."They terrorize our community the entire day. Why do they get a good night's sleep?" said Nathanael Landaverde, 23, who banged a dismantled frying pan at the protest.Dramatic images have shown federal agents, often masked and sometimes armed with assault rifles, chasing down migrants and handcuffing them at courthouses, farms and on the streets.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)ICE officials have also detained some US citizens for allegedly intervening in arrests, including a mayoral candidate in New York this week. The heavy-handed approach has sparked fear among immigrants and infuriated many Americans, particularly in liberal cities such as Los Angeles, where large-scale street protests erupted this month over ICE raids."If they don't sleep they're not gonna do their job effectively. They're gonna get less people," added Landaverde, as passing vehicles honked in apparent support for the late-night rally.It was not certain whether ICE agents were staying at the three-star hotel, but protest organizers claimed to have photo evidence. Dozens of people danced to a deafening cacophony as they waved signs reading "No rest for ICE" and "ICE out of LA" towards the hotel, where some guests peered through the curtains.One woman simply screamed into a megaphone. Another man wore earmuffs as he blasted distorted white noise through a speaker. "They're ripping families apart, and it's horrifying to watch in my community. They can't sleep if they're gonna do that here," said Juliet Austin, 22, who was playing a small blue accordion.Trump was elected to a second term in large part for his promise to deport thousands of migrants. But alongside their aggressive tactics, critics have denounced federal immigration agents for wearing face masks to hide their identities -- a highly unusual but legal practice in US law enforcement."At what point will we as a nation find ourselves with a secret police?" Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute think tank, wrote last month. "For the Trump administration, turning masked raids into standard practice fits into a wider effort to dodge accountability for potentially illegal and unconstitutional actions," he added.In California, lawmakers have introduced the "No Secret Police Act" that would restrict federal agents from wearing masks. Federal officials have rejected this criticism by claiming that agents wear masks to protect them from potential reprisals.Meanwhile, ICE has frequently boasted about its activities and posted pictures of detained migrants on social media.And it crucially still enjoys Trump's support, who last weekend praised ICE agents' "incredible strength, determination, and courage." Still, anger over ICE looks unlikely to go away as long as immigration arrests continue, and protesters Thursday were adamant they would not back down."I think it's a modern Gestapo here in America," said Austin, a dance teacher. "This city is not the one to mess with... We're not gonna let it happen. We're not tired," she added.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

India Today

36 minutes ago

• India Today

How Trump targeted Harvard's foreign students and what court says now

Harvard University, known globally for its academic excellence and diverse student body, has found itself at the center of a political storm. Former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly tried to restrict the university's ability to host international students — a move that directly challenges Harvard's global identity. Now, recent court rulings have provided temporary relief, but the situation remains SECURITY 'S ATTEMPT TO CUT HARVARD INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMMEOne of the major actions came from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which tried to revoke Harvard's certification to host international students under the Student Exchange and Visitor Program. This program allows institutions to issue key visa documents (like the F-1 student visa), and without it, Harvard wouldn't be able to enroll students from responded by suing the government, claiming that DHS didn't follow proper procedures. In May, a federal judge temporarily blocked DHS's action. Then, in a more recent ruling, the judge issued a preliminary injunction, halting the move until the legal case is fully resolved — which could take months or longer. While the ruling is a win for Harvard, the judge noted that DHS still has the right to evaluate Harvard's status through regular procedures. For now, the university remains certified, but the review ENTRY BAN FOR INCOMING HARVARD STUDENTSadvertisementIn a separate action, Trump issued a presidential proclamation to stop new international students from entering the U.S. if they planned to attend Harvard. The administration argued that allowing these students in was not in the country's quickly challenged this in court, arguing that targeting students bound for one specific school didn't meet the legal standard of banning a "class of aliens." The same judge stepped in again to pause this entry ban — with no end date set yet. Harvard is now waiting for the judge to make a longer-term decision on this linked his efforts to concerns about antisemitism on Harvard's campus, especially during pro-Palestinian protests. But Harvard's leadership has insisted they're already working to address these issues and won't bow to political VISA SCRUTINY AND DISCRIMINATION CONCERNSIn another move, the Trump administration ordered US embassies and consulates to inspect the social media accounts of anyone applying for a visa to study or work at Harvard. The idea was to screen for content that could be seen as anti-American or after, the State Department expanded this to include all student visa applicants across the country, not just those going to Harvard. Visa applicants were told to make their social media accounts public, raising concerns about privacy and were also told to give priority to schools where international students make up less than 15% of the student body. Since Harvard and other Ivy League schools have higher percentages of foreign students, this effectively places them at a IT MATTERS?International students are a major part of Harvard's community — making up about 26% of the total student population. In certain programs, like public policy, business, and law, that number is even say the Trump administration's actions are part of a broader effort to pressure elite universities into changing campus policies related to protests, admissions, and academic hiring. Supporters argue that the government is simply holding institutions accountable. Either way, Harvard believes it's being unfairly targeted, and the courts are now playing a key role in deciding what comes next.(With AP inputs)Tune InMust Watch

Time of India

39 minutes ago

• Time of India

US Chief Justice John Roberts on transgender healthcare: Upholds state bans while sidestepping Trump's agenda; liberals say trans kids left unprotected

US cheif justice John R US chief justice John Roberts has delivered a ruling on transgender healthcare that upholds restrictions but avoids hardline stances, aiming to strike a balance in one of the Supreme Court's most sensitive decisions. Ruling affirms bans, avoids deeper legal precedent In a 24-page opinion issued Wednesday, Roberts upheld Tennessee's law that restricts gender-affirming care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 18. While affirming the state's authority, Roberts carefully avoided endorsing broader conservative arguments that could have made transgender individuals more vulnerable in other legal contexts. "This case carries with it the weight of fierce scientific and policy debates about the safety, efficacy, and propriety of medical treatments in an evolving field," Roberts wrote. "We leave questions regarding its policy to the people, their elected representatives, and the democratic process." The chief justice said the law classified treatment based on age and medical use, not sex. That explanation avoided the need for a strict constitutional review. Conservative justices push further Some conservatives on the bench pushed for a broader ruling. Justice Clarence Thomas accused medical professionals of compromising their judgment to advance political goals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Justice Amy Coney Barrett, in her own opinion joined by Thomas, argued transgender people should not be viewed as a protected class deserving heightened legal scrutiny. She also raised concerns about trans participation in sports. Justice Samuel Alito joined in criticising the court's 2020 Bostock decision, which extended workplace protections to gay and trans employees. However, Roberts declined to extend or roll back Bostock in this case. Liberal dissent laments abandonment of trans youth Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the liberal dissenters, strongly objected to the court's refusal to apply stricter legal review. "By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims," she wrote. She argued that transgender Americans face discrimination in healthcare, housing, and employment, and that the court's inaction left them "doubly vulnerable to state-sanctioned discrimination." Trump policies loom over ruling Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has signed multiple executive orders affecting trans Americans, including the expulsion of trans military personnel. Justice Sotomayor highlighted these actions in her dissent, warning that the current federal agenda was amplifying discrimination. Roberts' ruling did not talk directly about these bigger political issues but repeated his earlier calls for judges to stay cautious and limited in their role. During oral arguments in December, he said, "My understanding is that the Constitution leaves that question to the people's representatives rather than to nine people, none of whom is a doctor." Legal and political consequences While the decision supports states like Tennessee for now, civil rights groups say the limited reasoning means it could still be challenged in the future."It's a devastating loss for trans youth and their families," said Cecillia Wang of the ACLU. "But the opinion is cabined both on the record and on doctrine. We live to fight another day."

Hindustan Times

41 minutes ago

• Hindustan Times

McDonald's to face nationwide boycott in US from June 24 to 30: Here's what to know

McDonald's is expected to be one of the several companies boycotted this year by The People's Union USA, calling for 'economic resistance' as a way to hold corporations accountable and achieve 'real justice for the working class.' McDonald's has also been fighting a boycott since late 2023, spearheaded by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which supports Palestine, for allegedly being involved in the Israeli military's operations in the Gaza Strip.(Representative Image/AFP) During its current 'Economic Blackout Tour,' the organising group behind Target and Walmart boycotts, The People's Union USA, is asking Americans to avoid buying at the restaurant chain from June 24 to June 30. A number of well-known firms have been boycotted in the first half of 2025, which was prompted by certain companies reversing their diversity, equality, and inclusion efforts. There has been a broader backlash against activities including tax evasion and labor underpayment. McDonald's facing boycott from BDS McDonald's has also been fighting a boycott since late 2023, spearheaded by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which supports Palestine, for allegedly being involved in the Israeli military's operations in the Gaza Strip. Also Read: Prince William turns 43: Kate Middleton, kids celebrate his birthday with new puppies and heartfelt message Know about People's Union USA's McDonald's boycott On its website, The People's Union USA describes itself as 'a grassroots movement focused on economic resistance, corporate accountability, and real justice for the working class.' The organization is spearheading the boycotts. The group has been organizing boycotts of Amazon, Walmart, and Target since February. It has also hosted frequent 'economic blackouts,' during which it advises people to 'avoid shopping, streaming, online orders, fast food, and everything in between,' and to only do business with small, local companies. The efforts against Walmart, Amazon, and Target have garnered more attention than the McDonald's boycott. The People's Union USA's founder, John Schwarz claimed that a 'permanent boycott' of these companies would allow them to experience 'the full power of the people.' The People's Union USA posted a list of their main issues against each targeted corporation on its website earlier this year. The majority of the grievances were on general monopolistic behavior, labor conditions, and tax dodging. McDonald's was included for 'tax avoidance and known lobbying against wage increases,' which have led to serious backlash of the firm in recent years. In addition to an Independence Day boycott, the People's Union USA intends to launch a month-long boycott of Home Depot, Amazon, and Starbucks. in July A boycott of McDonald's, Walmart, and Lowe's is scheduled for August, according to Schwarz.