President Donald Trump kicked off his second term in the Oval Office with a flurry of immigration-related orders aimed at asserting tough border controls. He brought back Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a priority, with plans to potentially deport thousands of undocumented immigrants who entered the country during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Over the past year, deportations and immigration actions have caused significant tension, particularly between Democrats and immigration officials, especially in West Coast states.
As the new year approaches, Fox News Digital looks back at some notable moments of conflict from 2025, including President Trump’s ICE initiatives and the ensuing Democratic reactions.
DHS achieves a significant milestone with over 10,000 arrests in a Democratic stronghold amidst violent protests
Padilla forcibly removed from DHS press event
In June, Senator Alex Padilla from California was handcuffed and removed from a DHS press conference while confronting Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem was visiting Los Angeles to address ongoing protests against ICE as federal agents attempted to deport individuals living in the city, known for its “sanctuary” policies.
During the press conference, Noem criticized the local leadership and expressed a determination to “liberate” the city from what she described as burdensome governance.
Padilla shouted out for Noem’s attention but was quickly escorted away. His lack of identification as a senator at the time of his removal raised eyebrows. “This is Senator Alex Padilla, and I have a question for the Secretary,” he asserted in footage later broadcasted.
Despite the interruption, Padilla and Noem later met privately to discuss their differing views on the ICE raids. Padilla characterized his removal as a troubling signal about the administration’s approach to governance, saying it should serve as a wake-up call regarding their treatment of elected officials.
Newsom continues to challenge ICE actions
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom reignited animosity towards Trump as federal agents executed immigration raids in Los Angeles. Protests erupted in early June, coinciding with Trump’s upcoming inauguration, showing strong resistance to ICE’s actions in the city.
Newsom denounced such raids, calling them chaotic and harmful to community trust. He accused Trump of having a destructive impact on families and workers in the state.
In a later interview, Newsom referred to Trump as a “terrible son” of immigration policy. He expressed frustration over federal agents’ behavior, stating their actions were unnecessarily intimidating and reflected weakness disguised as authority. He also hinted that this might hinder Newsom’s political future as he eyes a potential 2028 presidential run, given the backlash from earlier disasters like the wildfires.
Rep. Torres calls for ICE to leave LA
Democratic Representative Norma Torres gained attention for her fiery social media message during the ICE raids in June, urging agents to “remove this crap from LA.” She argued that local authorities could manage the situation better than bringing in federal forces, seeing it as a potential source of conflict.
Torres criticized ICE’s actions, claiming they often disregard federal law and unnecessarily separate families. Though she condemned violence, she believed local police could effectively restore order without military help.
Grijalva alleges mistreatment during an ICE raid
Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva from Arizona faced conflict while protesting an ICE raid in Tucson, where she claimed federal agents pepper-sprayed her as she sought access to information regarding the operation at a local restaurant. In response, ICE accused her of trying to obstruct law enforcement.
During this operation, over forty undocumented immigrants were apprehended. Grijalva’s remarks sparked further controversy and accusations from DHS officials who denied her claims of being attacked.
Newark’s Delaney Hall protests
The Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark has seen significant unrest. Newark’s Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested during a protest about the detention center. Although he was later released without charges, he filed a countersuit against federal officials, claiming they overstepped their authority.
New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was also present at the protest and faces legal challenges for allegedly interfering with law enforcement. Both officials have maintained their innocence throughout the ongoing legal battles.
