With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
After weekend protests, Paramount residents say they want Department of Homeland Security out of their community
Paramount residents packed a City Council meeting Tuesday to vent their anger after days of chaotic protests against the presence of federal agents.
The city south of Los Angeles has a population of around 50,000, most of them Latino. It's a lesser-known neighbor of Compton. But it was at the center of a national storm after images of protests near a Home Depot there Saturday spread.
Opposite the Home Depot is a Department of Homeland Security facility, which city officials said historically had been used as a security and customs enforcement location for the ports. It's now being used as a staging area for federal agents, and it was their presence that apparently sparked the protests.
At the meeting, residents, visibly shaken from the weekend's events, expressed their frustration during the public comments section.
"This area has always felt safe and immune to the broader catastrophes at large," said Rosalba Rios, who's lived in Paramount since 1989. "Fast forward [to] June 7, you can imagine my shock and horror to see ICE agents in full military gear. [The DHS facility] was well-positioned and hidden from view, making it perfect as an immigration base for this area."
In a statement Sunday, Mayor Peggy Lemons said that, to her knowledge, no immigration enforcement actions were taken against Paramount residents on Saturday.
Multiple speakers said protestors had been subjected to unnecessary force by law enforcement.
" We were met not with understanding, but with violence," said Alyson Barragan, who told the council she was shot with a projectile while protesting. "We were met with tear gas, with rubber bullets, with beanbags."
As she addressed the council, Barragan pulled up her shirt to show them a large bruise on her lower back.
Why does DHS have a facility in Paramount?
City officials say DHS has been leasing office space in Paramount since 2007. The Paramount Business Center is a cluster of warehouse and office spaces behind a wrought iron gate. On Tuesday evening, National Guard troops could be seen stationed outside.
Lemons said the city had no contract with DHS or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She also said that DHS is not required to hold a city business license or communicate its plans with the city because it's a federal agency.
" I want to take a moment to acknowledge the very real fear and frustration that many in our community are feeling," Lemons said. "Our immigrant community is a vital part of the fabric of Paramount, and we stand with you."
But many residents demanded that DHS be moved out of the city.
" I ask that you revoke their licenses and bar them from leasing again in the city and find them liable for damages," said Gurdeep Kaur. "People were harmed on the streets of Paramount."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead.
-
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
-
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.
-
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure.
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500