LAPD Pauses Meeting to Discuss Immigration Enforcement Data
LAPD Presentation on Immigration Enforcement Interactions Interrupted During Oversight Meeting
In a notable incident Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) first public presentation detailing interactions with federal agents enforcing immigration laws was interrupted, prompting questions about the transparency of such communications. Deputy Chief German A. Hurtado was in the midst of outlining specific incidents when an officer whispered to the department’s constitutional policing director, who relayed a message that led Hurtado to halt his remarks.
"They want us to hold off on some of this information," Hurtado informed the Board of Police Commissioners after acknowledging the interruption. Following the directive, he curtailed his description of a January 27, 2026, immigration-related incident.
The LAPD has not yet provided an explanation regarding the interruption. Earlier this month, Mayor Karen Bass instructed the department to openly report on officers’ interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies to ensure compliance with state law and local policy, which prohibits LAPD assistance to federal immigration agents.
Prior to the interruption, Hurtado noted that the LAPD had recorded eight immigration-related incidents in January and none in February. Among the incidents discussed, one call on January 1 alleged that federal agents were assaulting individuals in the Harbor area. A subsequent call from ICE cited a "hostile crowd" in the same location, but LAPD officers found no one upon arrival.
In another incident reported on January 12, a gardener was allegedly forced into a vehicle by two men. Hurtado stated that a kidnapping report was taken, but was later deemed "unfounded" when detectives confirmed the individuals were federal agents.
Conversely, on January 17, reports indicated that ICE agents were using racial slurs, and a bystander was injured during a chase initiated by federal agents. No official report was filed regarding this incident. Additionally, a kidnapping was reported on January 27, involving a man taken by two masked individuals in military-style fatigues in the Northeast Division of LAPD’s jurisdiction.
Hurtado emphasized that in all immigration-related incidents reported, LAPD officers successfully verified the identities of involved federal agents. During the meeting, he implied the department’s intent to release monthly updates on these incidents, but Commissioner Jeff Skobin pushed for more frequent disclosures, calling for transparency in handling such matters.
