California Democrat Reacts as ICE Reportedly Held Detainees in Basement
Source: Newsweek
Published Jun 07, 2025 at 5:00 AM EDT
Representative Jimmy Gomez called reports of immigrants being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the basement of a federal building in his Los Angeles district "scary," telling Newsweek he has "concerns that this facility is not meant to hold individuals overnight, and that it can actually cause harm to the people that are being held there."
An ICE spokesperson rejected reports of people being held in the basement, telling Newsweek in an email statement on Friday: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
Why It Matters
The California Democrat represents parts of Los Angeles, including the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in downtown L.A., where CBS first reported that dozens of immigrants have been detained in the basement by ICE. The reported detentions come amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which people with valid documentation—including green cards or visas—have been detained and face legal jeopardy.
President Donald Trump has pledged the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and in the initial months of his second term his administration has deported about 100,000 illegal immigrants, many as a result of his invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which grants the president authority to deport non-citizens without appearing before a judge, among other wartime authorities.
Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/california-democrat-reacts-ice-reportedly-held-detainees-basement-2082183