In a series of recent raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles, several illegal immigrants with criminal records were detained. Among those arrested was Cuong Chanh Phan, a 49-year-old Vietnamese national, who was previously convicted of second-degree murder. Phan’s conviction stems from a 1994 incident where he opened fire at a high school graduation party, resulting in the death of two teenagers and injuries to seven others.
The ICE raids, which led to the detention of dozens of illegal immigrants, sparked protests in Los Angeles. Demonstrators took to the streets, demanding the release of those arrested. Despite the criminal backgrounds of many detainees, protesters attempted to obstruct ICE officers from executing the raids. The situation escalated to the point where President Trump deployed the National Guard to control the protests.
Another individual arrested during the raids was Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, a 55-year-old from the Philippines. Veneracion-Enriquez had been sentenced to 37 years in prison for assault with intent to commit rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object in Pomona, California.
The arrests and subsequent protests have led to a wave of criticism from within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. Many officials have expressed frustration at what they perceive as misguided motives of the protesters, who they believe are defending criminals.
Among the detainees were individuals with records of gang affiliation, sexual offenses, and terrorism. However, the lack of public knowledge about the detainees’ backgrounds has led to a perception of innocence, according to an ICE source. The source expressed disappointment at the public’s reaction to the enforcement of immigration laws and the arrest of criminals.
The list of detainees with violent criminal records extends beyond Phan and Veneracion-Enriquez. Armando Ordaz, a 44-year-old Mexican national allegedly affiliated with the Bratz 13 gang, was arrested on a conviction for sexual battery. Delfino Aguilar-Martinez, a 51-year-old Mexican national, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. Lionel Sanchez-Laguna, another Mexican national, was arrested for multiple offenses including battery of a spouse, willful cruelty to a child, and assault with a firearm.
The weekend raids also led to the arrest of illegal immigrants with convictions for drug dealing, robbery, grand larceny, and transporting illegal aliens. The events have sparked a political debate, with California leaders like Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass blaming President Trump for inciting the riots by deploying the National Guard without the state’s consent.
However, the DHS has countered this narrative, citing the criminal history of detainees like Phan as evidence of the necessity of the raids. A DHS spokesperson argued that the state’s leadership is prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over U.S. citizens.