Filipino among immigrants arrested during ICE raids in Los Angeles
Photos from Homeland Security and AP
LOS ANGELES – A Filipino national was among the immigrants arrested during the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on Friday that have sparked protests in Los Angeles.
Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, 55, was one of six detained immigrants identified by the Homeland Security Department on Sunday.
Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez/Photo from Homeland Security
Enriquez allegedly has convictions for theft, assault, burglary and rape, according to Homeland Security.
The other immigrants identified by Homeland Security were:
— Jose Cristobal Hernandez-Buitron, 43, a citizen of Peru who allegedly has a criminal history that includes a conviction for robbery that resulted in a 10 year-sentence.
— Chrissahdah Tooy, 48, a citizen of Indonesia, who allegedly has convictions for narcotics, driving under the influence and illegal entry.
— Jordan Mauricio Meza-Esquibel, 32, a citizen of Honduras, who allegedly has arrests for distribution of heroin and cocaine and domestic violence.
— Francisco Sanchez-Arguello, 38, a citizen of Mexico, who allegedly has arrests for grand theft larceny and possession of a prohibited weapon.
— Cuong Chanh Phan, 49, a citizen of Vietnam, who allegedly has a conviction for second-degree murder for which he was sentenced to 15 years to life.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles faced its third straight day of tense protests over ICE raids Sunday, with armed National Guard troops now part of the equation.
US National Guard are deployed around downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following an immigration raid protest the night before. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
National Guard troops arrived in downtown Los Angeles at 4 a.m. Sunday after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment, over the strenuous objection of local Democrats, led by Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom. By early afternoon they were facing off with angry protesters as they tried to protect the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center on Alameda Street downtown.
The Los Angeles Police Department went on Tactical Alert, declared an unlawful assembly in the area of Alameda Street, between Second and Aliso streets, and battled with over 1,000 demonstrators who marched from Boyle Heights to the Roybal Building.
U.S. National Guard are deployed outside the federal prison in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following a immigration raid protest the night before. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
Arrests were reported as some protesters threw bottles and other objects at officers and attempted to breach police lines.
Traffic was blocked on the southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway after protesters entered the freeway.
Some streets in the area were closed to traffic and DASH bus lines were skipping stops.
“@TheCalGuard 79th IBCT has deployed approximately 300 soldiers to 3 separate locations in the greater Los Angeles area. They are conducting safety and protection of federal property & personnel,” the U.S. Northern Command posted at 9:07 a.m. Sunday.
“The National Guard is present and actively protecting federal assets in Los Angeles,” US Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X. “Anyone thinking about showing up to damage federal property or to assault our agents, think again.”
Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, was outside the center Sunday, questioning the presence of the armed Guard members.
“If a young person who may not be documented decided to run because they’re afraid, will they shoot them? Why do they have these guns? I’m really concerned about that,” she said.
According to The Times, Waters also asked about two dozen of the Guard members, “Who are you going to shoot? If you’re going to shoot me, you better shoot straight.”
Around midday, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division said three “peaceful” demonstrations were underway: non-permitted events at Olvera Street and at a federal facility on Alameda Street, and a permitted demonstration in front of the Central Division.
Another demonstration was planned for 7 p.m., when interfaith leaders from across Los Angeles County will gather for a candlelight vigil at City Hall to call for an “end to the violence of immigration raids, and the protection of immigrant families in LA County.”
During Sunday’s protest on Alameda Street, National Guard members threw tear gas canisters and smoke grenades toward the demonstrators.
ICE raids in Pasadena
Meanwhile, Pasadena officials were reporting some sort of federal immigration activity in that city Sunday.
“We have received and confirmed reports that federal personnel are present in Pasadena. At this time, no enforcement activity has been confirmed,” Mayor Victor Gordo said.
“We understand the anxiety and fear that these reports can create for many in our community. I urge our community to remain calm, united, and peaceful, and not be baited or provoked into violence. The right to peacefully assemble and express ourselves is a fundamental part of who we are — not just as Pasadenans, but as Americans.
“We will update our community as more information becomes available.”
The Presidential Memorandum posted Saturday on the White House website ordered the deployment of the Guard in light of “numerous incidents of violence and disorder [which] … threaten to continue in response to the enforcement of Federal law by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions and supporting the faithful execution of Federal immigration laws.”
The order states, in part that “The members and units of the National Guard called into Federal service shall be at least 2,000 National Guard personnel and the duration of duty shall be for 60 days or at the discretion of
the Secretary of Defense.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he has placed US Marines at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County on “high alert” to be deployed if needed. (With CNS report)
