Los Angeles City Councilmember’s aide arrested at immigration protests as National Guard deploys amid escalating violence.
At a Glance
- Luz Aguilar, aide to LA City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, was placed on unpaid leave after being arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer during anti-ICE protests
- President Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles as pro-immigration protests escalated into riots
- Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom criticized federal immigration enforcement while local official Ana Carril-Grumberg praised the intervention
- The LAPD stated it would not participate in immigration enforcement operations
- Protests have intensified with demonstrators taking over freeways and clashing with federal agents
City Council Aide Arrested as Protests Intensify
A staff member for Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has been placed on unpaid administrative leave following her arrest during escalating anti-immigration enforcement protests in downtown Los Angeles. Luz Aguilar, 26, who serves as Jurado’s deputy for economic innovation and community growth, was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon. The incident highlights the growing tensions as protests against federal immigration raids have turned increasingly violent, requiring law enforcement in riot gear to manage the situation.
Aguilar’s father, Rick Cole, is a Pasadena City Councilmember and also works as an aide to Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia. Her sister was also arrested during the same incident, with both being held on $50,000 bail. Councilmember Jurado, known for her previous work as a tenant rights attorney and abolitionist views on policing, issued a statement addressing the situation while emphasizing due process.
Federal Intervention Draws Mixed Response
As riots intensified across Los Angeles, President Trump deployed the National Guard to help restore order, a move that has drawn sharply divided responses from local and state officials. Mayor Karen Bass criticized the ICE raids that sparked the protests, calling them disruptive and terror-inducing for communities. The mayor’s statements prompted significant backlash from former Trump administration officials, who emphasized federal supremacy in immigration enforcement matters. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it would not participate in immigration enforcement operations.
Disagreement within local government has become apparent as Ana Carril-Grumberg, a local official, publicly praised President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard. Carril-Grumberg’s statement stands in stark contrast to the positions of both Mayor Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom, who have criticized the federal intervention. Immigration advocates reported at least 45 arrests across multiple locations in Los Angeles as federal agents conducted operations that were met with large-scale protests.
Escalating Violence and Political Fallout
Videos from the scene have shown federal agents escorting detainees while being confronted by increasingly aggressive protesters. The protests have expanded beyond downtown, with demonstrators taking over portions of the 101 Freeway and engaging in direct confrontation with law enforcement. The City Council has scheduled a special meeting to discuss the federal immigration raids and their effects on public services and facilities, as the political ramifications continue to grow.
Carril-Grumberg’s criticism extended beyond the current situation, referencing past incidents where she claims the mayor failed in her leadership duties, including during wildfire emergencies earlier in the year. City Controller Kenneth Mejia has requested information regarding the financial impact of the immigration raids on police resources, adding another dimension to the growing controversy. Former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell accused Mayor Bass of undermining the rule of law and creating chaos through her response to federal enforcement actions.
Federal Officials Defend Enforcement Actions
Federal authorities have defended the immigration operations as necessary enforcement of existing laws. Department of Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin specifically criticized the LAPD’s lack of response to protests that turned violent against federal agents. The situation continues to evolve as protests enter their fifth day, with no immediate resolution in sight. The deployment of National Guard troops represents a significant escalation in the federal response to the unrest in Los Angeles.
As tensions remain high throughout Los Angeles, the conflict between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local governance philosophies continues to play out in both the streets and political chambers. The arrest of a city council staff member highlights the deep divisions within the community as the city grapples with violence, property damage, and disruption stemming from what began as protests against immigration enforcement operations.
