Federal immigration raids under the Donald Trump administration have intensified, with a renewed target of arresting 3,000 undocumented immigrants per day, prompting expanded operations at farms, restaurants, hotels, and even health clinics.
According to CNN, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a directive on June 16 instructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to resume enforcement actions at sites such as restaurants, hotels, and farms—operations that had previously been paused due to industry opposition. The move reflects a return to Trump’s aggressive immigration policies.
Tricia Mclaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, stated, “The employment of undocumented immigrants threatens the infrastructure of the labor market,” adding that enforcement operations are “critical to public safety and national security.” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller previously ordered ICE to meet the daily target of 3,000 arrests, although current figures average around 2,000 per day.
Over the weekend of June 15–16, Trump commented, “Great workers in farms and the hotel industry are suddenly disappearing,” suggesting a brief pause in operations. However, on June 17, he reversed course and directed ICE to intensify its crackdown, specifically calling for expanded raids in “Democrat Power Centers.”
The scope of ICE activity has also widened to include locations once considered off-limits. The agency has rescinded prior guidelines protecting hospitals, churches, and schools, removing so-called “safe zones.”
One high-profile incident occurred on June 11 in Downey, where five unmarked SUVs and vans carrying armed personnel attempted to enter the St. John’s Community Health Mobile Clinic, according to nonprofit news outlet LAist.
Alfredo Contreras, the clinic’s driver, said, “Unmarked SUVs and vans with armed personnel tried to enter the clinic,” adding that they left shortly after a security guard told them they could not enter without a warrant. [paraphrased]
No arrests were made, but staff quickly notified patients of the situation. A representative from St. John’s Health said it was the closest encounter yet with immigration agents and noted that “even the attempted approach deeply unsettled both patients and staff.”
Following the incident, about one-third of total appointments and half of all dental bookings at the clinic were canceled for the week.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed that ICE has not entered any hospital premises but said the mere threat of raids has reduced the number of patients in clinic waiting rooms.
Sandy Redding, president of the California Nurses Association (CNA), warned that fear of ICE is causing patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension to avoid care. “That fear is leading to delayed treatments and worsening health outcomes,” she said.
Adam Blackstone, spokesperson for the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC), added that emergency room visits have declined at some hospitals. “Excessive crackdowns on undocumented immigrants are delaying necessary medical care and could ultimately cost lives,” he said.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
