Opinion: Call For Reparations To Illegal Alien Immigrants Amid Los Angeles ICE Raids & Protests

An illegal alien activist has made the audacious claim that illegal immigrants and their families deserve reparations.

As a Black Californian I am infuriated by these protesters (carrying flags of other countries) and activists who would dare say they deserve reparations. Reparations, historically, are tied to systemic wrongs committed against specific groups, like descendants of enslaved people or victims of government-sanctioned injustices. Illegal immigrants, by contrast, have chosen to enter or remain in the United States in violation of federal law.

Watch activist calling for compensation for illegals:

In Los Angeles, a city already strained by overpopulation, homelessness, and economic challenges, an illegal alien activist has made the audacious claim that undocumented immigrants and their families deserve reparations. This assertion is not only disconnected from reality but also a slap in the face to legal residents and taxpayers who bear the burden of California’s unchecked immigration policies. The idea that those who entered the country illegally should be financially compensated for their presence is a preposterous overreach, and it highlights the broader issue of California’s unsustainable approach to illegal immigration, which has culminated in recent protests and President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard.

Estimates suggest the state is home to over 2 million undocumented immigrants, the highest number in the nation. This population strains public resources, from schools to hospitals to welfare programs, costing taxpayers billions annually. In Los Angeles County alone, studies indicate that illegal immigration costs local governments upwards of $1 billion a year in services like healthcare and education. Meanwhile, infrastructure crumbles, homelessness spikes, and legal residents face long waits for subsidized housing.

The recent protests in Los Angeles, sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting workplaces in areas like Paramount, underscore the tensions surrounding this issue. On June 7, 2025, hundreds of demonstrators clashed with federal agents, blocking streets, setting fires, and even kicking Border Patrol vehicles.

The unrest, which saw tear gas and flash-bang grenades deployed by authorities, followed ICE’s arrest of 121 immigrants on Friday, including alleged gang members and drug traffickers. Protesters, waving Mexican flags and holding signs proclaiming “No Human Being is Illegal,” demanded an end to the raids, with some activists, like Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, claiming the operations “terrorize” communities. Yet, these raids are a response to the unchecked flow of illegal immigration that local leaders have failed to address, allowing criminal elements to flourish.

President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, announced on June 7, 2025, is a direct reaction to this chaos. The move, condemned by California Governor Gavin Newsom as “purposefully inflammatory,” reflects the federal government’s frustration with local authorities’ inability to maintain order.

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have criticized the raids and the Guard’s deployment, accusing the Trump administration of stoking fear. But their rhetoric sidesteps the reality: California’s sanctuary policies have emboldened defiance of federal immigration law, creating a powder keg that exploded into the recent violence. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, emphasized on Fox News that the operations aim to make Los Angeles safer by targeting criminal illegal aliens, a point conveniently ignored by critics who frame all deportations as attacks on innocent workers.

The deployment of the National Guard, while a drastic step, is not without precedent. It echoes actions taken during the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the 2020 George Floyd protests, when civil unrest overwhelmed local law enforcement. Trump’s invocation of federal powers to override Newsom’s objections underscores the severity of the situation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton could be mobilized if violence persists, signaling a zero-tolerance stance on interference with ICE operations. This escalation is a wake-up call: California cannot continue to ignore the consequences of its lax immigration policies.

Some illegal immigrants, particularly from regions with entrenched colorism or limited exposure to Black communities, can carry anti-Black biases shaped by their home countries’ cultural norms or media portrayals. In places like Los Angeles, where economic competition for jobs and resources is fierce, these biases can manifest as prejudice or discrimination against Black Americans, fueling tensions. Certain Latino immigrants harbor derogatory stereotypes, viewing Black people as competitors or scapegoats for systemic issues. While not universal, these attitudes, combined with incidents like the 2022 Los Angeles city council scandal involving anti-Black remarks by Latino officials, amplify distrust.

The activist’s demand for reparations is a symptom of a broader delusion—that illegal immigration can be endlessly accommodated without cost to society. California’s leaders have long pandered to this narrative, shielding undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement while dismissing the strain on public resources. The protests in Paramount, where a predominantly Latino community clashed with authorities, highlight the emotional charge of this issue.

But emotion cannot override reason. Illegal immigration is not a victimless act; it burdens taxpayers, overwhelms systems, and, in some cases, enables crime. The federal government’s crackdown is an attempt to restore order and accountability.

The only "reparations" illegal immigrants should receive is a return flight to their country of origin, accompanied by clear guidance on how to enter the United States legally.