In a recent op-ed for Fox News Digital, California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his strong disapproval of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids taking place in Los Angeles.
He accused the current administration of resorting to "cruelty and intimidation.".
Governor Newsom, known for his far-left political stance, has been accused of spreading misinformation and distorting the truth about recent ICE detainments, the deployment of U.S. service members by President Donald Trump to control violent anti-deportation riots, and the legal issues faced by several Democrat lawmakers due to their extreme protest methods.
According to Breitbart, Newsom wrote, "Over the past two weeks, federal agents conducted large-scale workplace raids around Southern California. They jumped out of unmarked vans, indiscriminately grabbing people off the street, chasing people in agricultural fields." He also mentioned the arrest of a pregnant woman in LA, who had to be hospitalized after her release.
The woman in question, Cary Lpez Alvarado, a 28-year-old American citizen, was arrested in Hawthorne by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials along with two illegal immigrants, one of whom is her partner. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained that Lpez Alvarado was arrested because she "obstructed federal law enforcement by blocking access to a car that had two Guatemalan illegal aliens in it."
McLaughlin also revealed that during the incident, "agents were assaulted, and an additional subject was taken into custody after he pushed an officer." She added that rioters began throwing wrenches and batteries at agents, leading to consequences, including arrest, for anyone who actively obstructs or assaults law enforcement, including U.S. citizens.
While Lpez Alvarado was indeed hospitalized after her arrest, she was released the same day. Doctors kept her for a day to monitor her baby after she reported experiencing stomach pain.
Newsom argued that the current administration's approach to immigration enforcement is a "dangerous ploy for headlines." He criticized the Trump administration for focusing on mass deportations and targeting hardworking immigrant families to meet quotas, instead of focusing on illegal immigrants with serious criminal records and border security.
However, the DHS has confirmed that those arrested in the raids include convicted rapists, drug traffickers, and human smugglers. Dr. Phil McGraw, a longtime television journalist, reported that the primary business targeted in the raids was a clothing company suspected of involvement in criminal activity.
Newsom also addressed the anti-ICE protests in California, which led to injured law enforcement officers, local businesses being looted, and property being destroyed. He criticized President Trump for deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines to contain the situation, accusing him of betraying soldiers, the American people, and core traditions.
Newsom also mentioned the arrest of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for asking the Secretary of Homeland Security a question, and the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while accompanying members of Congress to inspect a federal immigration detention center. He also mentioned the indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver in connection with the same incident.
The DHS defended the Secret Service's actions in the case of Senator Padilla, stating that he chose "disrespectful political theatre" and did not comply with officers' repeated commands. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for allegedly criminally trespassing at an ICE facility, but the charges were later dropped. However, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, who was present at the ICE facility when the mayor was taken into custody, is still facing charges for "assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement."
In his op-ed, Newsom urged people not to give in to fear and anxiety. He wrote, "What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty, your silence. Do not give in to him. Do not let him win. If we stand together, as neighbors, as communities, as states, we will win."
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