AAPI Equity Alliance Denounces Cruel Immigration Raids & Escalating Military Forces in LA

AAPI Equity Alliance is outraged by the cruel immigration raids and escalating military forces terrorizing Los Angeles, a sanctuary city built by immigrants.

We are in solidarity with communities, families, and peaceful protestors who are affected by this manufactured violence. Immigrants make up 35% of Los Angeles and are beloved community members who are simply living their lives — going to work, dropping kids off at school, and doing their jobs.

Let’s be clear: Masked federal agents snatching our neighbors, coworkers, and students off the streets into unmarked vehicles without due process is not public safety. The use of tactical weapons such as stun grenades, tear gas, and pepper spray on Angelenos exercising their right to protest is not “law and order”.

After sending in the National Guard to intimidate our communities, the Trump Administration is now adding fuel to the fire by mobilizing 700 U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. This is an illegal, unconstitutional abuse of power by Trump to incite lawlessness and fear. He’s not responding to unrest – he created it to consolidate more power.

In fact, out of the 330 people abducted by ICE, the vast majority are not people with criminal records, as the Administration has admitted. Family members are left in the dark wondering why their parents, uncles, and sisters didn’t come home. This inhumanity impacts everyone, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. It may start in Los Angeles, but clearly Trump’s abuse of power won’t end here.

This isn’t about “us” vs “them”, “immigrants” vs “citizens” — it’s about all of us and how we respond when our neighbors and our democracy are under attack. We’re appalled by the accelerated warfare on everyday people; teachers, pastors, and business owners, who are rising to protect one another and our constitutional rights during this unequivocal act of authoritarianism.