Sixteen detained in LA immigration raid targeting MS-13 territory

U.S. immigration agents have detained 16 people during a dawn raid at a Los Angeles Home Depot on Wednesday, in what officials said was a crackdown on MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha 13) gang influence in the MacArthur Park area.

The raid, carried out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), took place around 7 a.m. and involved agents arriving in unmarked Penske trucks. Footage from the scene showed individuals scattering from the parking lot as federal officers moved in.

A DHS spokesperson told Fox News the area is believed to be under the control of the violent MS-13 gang, and the location was selected for its strategic significance.

No details have been released regarding the identities or immigration status of those detained.

The site is close to where a similar raid last month drew strong opposition from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who called on federal agents to leave.

“They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. They need to leave because this is unacceptable!” she said at the time.

The July raid triggered protests and reports of damage to federal vehicles, including a slashed tyre and projectiles thrown at agents.

In June, wider unrest over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles prompted President Donald Trump to deploy U.S. Marines and federalise the National Guard, drawing sharp criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Federal authorities have linked the latest operations to a broader campaign against sanctuary city policies, which they argue obstruct immigration enforcement.

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