Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) ignited controversy Wednesday by calling immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles a form of “domestic terrorism.” The remarks came during an appearance on CNN’s The Arena, where Kamlager-Dove sharply criticized the Trump administration’s tactics surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
“I would argue that this is not immigration policy that we’re seeing unfold. This is domestic terrorism,” Kamlager-Dove said during the segment, drawing a direct link between ICE operations and fear-driven tactics.
She described community raids where individuals—often masked and unidentified—allegedly detained people without warrants and with no notification to families or legal representatives.
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Her comments were made in reference to recent raids in Korean-American neighborhoods in Los Angeles, which she characterized as targeting vulnerable populations, including elderly caregivers and families. Kamlager-Dove claimed that some enforcement officers failed to provide proper documentation or judicial oversight during the detentions.
CNN host Kasie Hunt pressed the congresswoman to clarify whether she was specifically referring to ICE operations as “domestic terrorism.” Kamlager-Dove doubled down, asserting that raids carried out without transparency, identification, or due process “terrorize communities.”
She further criticized the reported lack of access granted to congressional members attempting to inspect detention conditions, describing it as a systemic abuse of authority that undermines public trust and democratic accountability.
Polling data released in parallel to the controversy paints a different picture of public sentiment.
A CBS News poll conducted just prior to the Los Angeles raids found that a majority of Americans support President Trump’s deportation agenda, with a net approval rating of +8. Another survey from RMG Research taken days after National Guard troops were deployed to the area showed 58% of respondents supported the administration’s efforts to deport illegal aliens. Additionally, 52% approved of sending the National Guard to restore order amid unrest.