Left-Wing Advocacy Groups Under Fire Amid Anti-ICE Protests and Investigations

The recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles have drawn significant attention to various activist groups, leading to intense scrutiny from government officials. Organizations such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Union del Barrio find themselves at the center of controversy.

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, is spearheading an investigation through the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism. This inquiry seeks to assess whether these groups have played a role in financing or supporting the violent protests and riots that have erupted in Los Angeles. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the Internal Revenue Service is also looking into potential funding of actions deemed violent.

In these investigations, letters have been sent to the involved organizations. Hawley’s correspondence highlights an alleged involvement in facilitating and funding the unrest that has recently impacted the city. He emphasized that financing civil disturbances does not fall under protected speech, framing it as aiding criminal behavior.

Angelica Salas, the Executive Director of CHIRLA, publicly condemned recent ICE raids during a press conference alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. She criticized Republican narratives about their organization, stating that such claims do not reflect their objectives or actions.

Salas affirmed their commitment to support the immigrant community, despite receiving Hawley’s letter. She conveyed that intimidation tactics would not deter CHIRLA from their mission. In light of recent upsurges of violence, the organization has reiterated that they do not condone violent actions.

Reports have suggested that certain parts of Los Angeles experienced property damage during the protests, affecting both vehicles and businesses. CHIRLA responded by disassociating themselves from the violence and emphasizing their focus on advocacy.

The group has previously received considerable financial support, amounting to $34 million from taxpayers over time. This includes a documented $750,000 granted under the Biden administration. Such financial backing raises questions about how these funds are utilized amidst growing tensions.

In her statements, Salas mentioned CHIRLA has a structured response network designed to address ICE operations in the area. She illustrated the high demand for this network during recent enforcement actions, detailing how it remained active late into the evening as community members sought assistance.

CHIRLA also provides legal resources through its