As immigration policy continues to
dominate
the national conversation, California — and Los Angeles in particular — has become the flashpoint for protests and riots linked to growing unrest under the Trump administration. Manhattan Institute fellow Heather Mac Donald says the Biden-era border crisis and long-standing tolerance for lawlessness in California laid the groundwork for recent chaos.
“It shows that lawlessness in one area breeds lawlessness in another,” Mac Donald told Fox News following violent demonstrations in Los Angeles. “We’ve had an absolutely lawless situation at the border. California and LA have tolerated criminal
lawlessness
for years, so it’s no surprise that immigrant rights activists and protesters feel emboldened to wreak havoc in the streets.”
Riots have gripped
Los Angeles
since June 6, with demonstrators burning American flags, torching vehicles, and clashing with federal agents — scenes that have stirred national debate over immigration enforcement and public safety.
Mac Donald also raised concerns about the long-term impact of high immigration levels, arguing that the U.S. is failing to assimilate newcomers. “We’ve bought into this idea that more diversity and demographic change is always better,” she said. “But without a pause, you’re fighting a losing battle to assimilate.”
She called for a cap on
immigration
levels, pointing to the early 20th century as a model. “Back then, we halted immigration for decades, which allowed assimilation to take place,” she said. “Today, with constant inflows, that process is overwhelmed.”
While she supported worker visa programs for agriculture and exceptions for high-skilled immigrants, Mac Donald argued that policies like chain migration — which allow immigrants to bring extended family members — should be halted immediately. “We need to be creating Americans, not people who riot and wave foreign flags in our streets,” she said.
Amid growing unrest, the Trump administration has promised nationwide immigration raids and warned that future rioters will face a stronger federal response. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has revived a self-deportation initiative — now called the CBP Home app — offering $1,000 and a chance to reenter legally in exchange for voluntary departure.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a vocal critic of ICE operations, blames the Trump administration’s aggressive tactics for provoking
tensions
. “We are a proud city of immigrants,” she said in a recent statement. “With the Trump administration ramping up its chaotic approach, I’m making sure we deploy every resource to support immigrant communities.”
Bass has previously said ICE should “go home,” a stance that has further inflamed political divides.
Looking ahead, Mac Donald
warns
that unrest may not stay confined to LA. “Other cities could be next,” she said. “Elected officials have downplayed this as if it’s under control — but what we’re seeing is a dangerous trend.”
As the debate intensifies, both the scale of immigration and the nation’s response to it are shaping up to be defining issues heading into the 2026 midterms.
