Amid Escalating Tensions in LA, Archbishop Gomez Calls Catholics to Prayer, Peace, and Immigration Reform

As protests erupted across Los Angeles following recent ICE raids, Archbishop José H. Gomez is urging Catholics to respond with calm, compassion, and a renewed call for justice.

“I am troubled by today’s immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, and I am praying for our community,” Archbishop Gomez said in a June 6 statement, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. His words came as frustration, fear, and violence spilled onto the streets after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested several unauthorized immigrants during coordinated worksite operations.

The archbishop’s message strikes at the heart of the Church’s longstanding concern for the dignity of immigrants—especially those who live and work peacefully in our communities. “We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities,” Gomez stated. “But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.”

Over the weekend, that fear turned to chaos. Protests began after the arrest of David Huerta, president of the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union, who allegedly blocked ICE vehicles and sustained injuries during the confrontation. According to video footage cited in multiple reports, crowds swelled around enforcement vans, chanting and surrounding the scene into the night.

By Sunday, demonstrators blocked Highway 101, prompting the California Highway Patrol to deploy flash-bang grenades. Some protesters reportedly threw tree branches, rocks, and fireworks at law enforcement. Others set driverless taxis ablaze and defaced neighborhoods with anti-ICE graffiti, as confirmed in local law enforcement briefings.

In response to the unrest, President Donald Trump federalized the California National Guard on Saturday night, arguing that state and city leaders had failed to maintain order. California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the move, calling it a “breach of state sovereignty.” On Monday, the state filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Throughout this turmoil, the Church has tried to provide a spiritual response. An interfaith prayer vigil—organized by the Archdiocese’s Immigration Task Force in collaboration with LA Voice, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and the Central American Resource Center—was postponed due to safety concerns. The organizers reiterated their commitment to peace and pledged to reschedule the vigil when conditions improve.

Archbishop Gomez emphasized that beyond the moment’s unrest lies a deeper problem. He called on Catholics and lawmakers alike to fix the root cause: “Our immigration system is broken, and it needs to be fixed by Congress.”

For Catholics, this is not just a political issue—it is a human one. As violence shakes Los Angeles, the Archbishop’s plea is a reminder of the Church’s mission to protect human dignity, support families, and seek solutions through faith, not fear.

As faithful citizens, we are called not only to reject violence but also to advocate for immigration reform rooted in justice and mercy. Let us begin with prayer, then act with courage, compassion, and clarity.

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