The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely tracking protests in Los Angeles following ICE raids and military deployment. The government advised Indian nationals to stay safe, stressing its commitment to their welfare and security.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that it is closely tracking the situation in Los Angeles. (Photo: ANI/AP)
As immigration-related protests rock Los Angeles and several other major US cities, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that it is closely tracking the situation and remains in touch with the Indian diaspora in the affected areas.
“We are aware of the developments, and as you are aware, we take the safety, security, and welfare of our citizens abroad with utmost seriousness,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a media briefing.
With thousands of Indian nationals living across California, many in and around Los Angeles—the ministry has urged the community to exercise caution amid a tense environment that has seen mass protests, curfews, and deployment of federal forces.
Jaiswal noted that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco is “closely monitoring the situation and remains in close touch with our community members for their welfare.” He added, “The LA region and California in general is home to a large community of Indians. We advise all Indian nationals in the region to take suitable safety precautions.”
The protests, now in their sixth day, were sparked by a wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Los Angeles, which reportedly led to the arrest of dozens of undocumented immigrants. According to media reports, protests have now spread to several other US cities, including New York, Seattle, Chicago, and Washington, DC.
More protests are scheduled this weekend, coinciding with a military parade planned by Trump in Washington. Since Saturday, nearly 400 protestors have been detained or arrested in the LA area alone.
The protests intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle. And more are scheduled for this weekend as Trump stages a military parade in Washington.
The protests started Friday in downtown Los Angeles before spreading Saturday to the neighboring cities of Compton and Paramount. They have been driven by anger over Trump’s stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. According to the Associated Press, Los Angeles County presents a ripe target for the raids, as an estimated 10% of residents aren't in the country legally.
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Jun 13, 2025
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