See this video of protest against a death caused by an ICE raid at a Home Depot, Monrovia, Ca.
The broad assault on immigrants unfolding before us in Los Angeles and many other places is the tip of the spear thrust against the entire U.S. working class. It seeks to disarm by appearing to be directed against immigrants only, when the intention is to create a massive police force that can be directed against anyone who stands in the way of Trump and the corporate billionaires behind him. What President Trump, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, head of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and ICE Director Thomas Homan say and do is based on the lie that immigrants, asylees, refugees, and minorities are to blame for the declining standard of living of everyday Americans.
With the lie that Trump and his henchmen are only going after criminals– “the worst of the worst” — the mass deportation machine that Trump promised his base in the 2024 Presidential elections is ramping up. On June 7th of 2025 Trump ordered the illegal deployment of 5000 federal troops, including national guard, other federal officers, and 700 U.S. marines to Los Angeles. This action constitutes a clear violation of the posse comitatus act.
It was ordered by him supposedly to protect government property and ICE agents who were being challenged by youth and other community residents for arresting suspected undocumented persons in court houses, on the streets, and other public places. All this occurred without the consent and over protests of California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. This lie of criminality, which reputable sources dispute, has unleashed:
- The economic, physical and emotional devastation visited upon L.A.,
- Overstepping of state and city authority,
- Blatant violations of human rights witnessed on national news and social media.
- Stephen Miller announced goals of deporting even more immigrants, increasing his daily quotas from 1 thousand to 3 thousand, despite accounts of even American citizens being arrested and harassed.
To fund massive deportations, Trump strong-armed the passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” (HR 1) despite even Republican opposition. This Bill provides $1.4 trillion to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. ICE’s $75 billion allocation makes it one of the most heavily federally funded enforcement bodies in the country. Its funding surpasses the military funding of many countries in the world.
Trump’s anti-immigrant lies help cover up that he is attacking all workers because HR1 also slashes federal SNAP funding by $186.7 billion over the next decade, which will eliminate food programs for many seniors and children. Up to 15 million Americans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage by 2034. Seniors will be adversely impacted by cutbacks to Medicare and social security. Despite Trump’s promises and lies the passage of HR1 came at the expense of the livelihoods of Americans, native born and undocumented.
Americans nervously watch the cruelty and terror unleashed by armed, masked, officers and bounty hunters who do not identify themselves. Polls are starting to show that Americans no longer support Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, possibly because they are beginning to understand that he is coming for all of us. His rigging elections via gerrymandering and attempts to repeal birth right citizenship are absolutely frightening to all who believe in Democracy and the Constitution.
The issue of the undocumented immigrant today has to be seen in the context of globalization and capitalism in the age of digital technology. Since about the 1970s corporations have been allowed to automate production and scour the globe for cheap labor in countries with limited environmental and labor protections, all to maximize profits. This has harmed all workers by creating unemployment, lowering wages, and causing people to migrate to seek work and a better life for their families. In fact, today one out of three people worldwide are migrant workers.
The workers, including the undocumented, can’t live without jobs, and the capitalists can’t deliver jobs in an economy based on digital production, which is systematically eliminating jobs. The ruling class, which has no real solutions, resorts to scapegoating and divide-and-conquer tactics to control not only the immigrant worker but also the entire class. Their aim is to criminalize a section of the working class and turn us against each other so we cannot unite against a government controlled by tech corporations and billionaires.
What is the response to the attacks? United action, that’s what.
This is proceeding on two levels. First mutual aid, self-defense, rapid response networks, and other community organizing is going on in L.A. and many other places.
Second, public protests, marches, takeovers, etc. are forcing California’s state and local officials to take a public stand — against Trump and Hegseth overstepping their Governor, and to join the call for militarized forces to be removed from LA. The LAPD was put in the position of having to defend the democratic right to protest, though it is still feared by many in the public.
Meanwhile, state laws must be complied with despite ICE acting for the federal government. California SB 54 is a 2017 law preventing state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources on behalf of federal immigration enforcement agencies. A state sponsored legal defense service has been proposed and should be demanded. Measures are needed that demand identification of Federal ICE agents through uniforms and badges, and prohibit their unmasked presence.
ICE sweeps and attacks on immigrants drive up living expenses for everyone. When farm workers can’t harvest crops, food prices rise. Construction costs increase as workers stay home. Service industries like nursing homes face labor shortages as TPS protections end for Haitians and other immigrants in essential jobs. These labor shortages raise prices, reduce jobs directly and indirectly, and hurt small businesses.
Trump’s actions reveal whom the government really serves. “Make America Great Again” was a smokescreen for transferring wealth upward while building a police state—harming millions, including MAGA voters. This administration offers working people only war, division, and destruction. They’re unfit to rule. We must unite as a working class independent of the wealthy and realize this necessity before it’s too late.
Published on August 27, 2025
This article originated in Rally!
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Great video and article in support !