The large-scale anti-immigration demonstration held in Los Angeles (LA), United States, has intensified political debate as the Mexican flag appeared symbolically. While the protesters displayed flags of Mexico and other Latin American countries, claiming solidarity with immigrants, some Republican figures labeled it as a "provocative act" and criticized it.
The demonstration was triggered shortly after agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided several business sites in the LA fashion district on the 6th (local time). The initially peaceful protest turned into clashes, resulting in dozens of arrests, and President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines for a harsh crackdown. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, strongly opposed, calling it "illegal occupation and abuse of power."
During this process, demonstrators holding the Mexican flag appeared throughout the protest site, escalating the controversy. LA County has the largest Mexican population in the United States, with approximately 3.4 million people of Mexican origin or of Mexican descent, according to local census data.
Republican figures expressed strong rejection of these scenes. Senator Markwayne Mullin stated in a CNN interview on the 10th, "It is crazy to wave foreign flags while protesting" and called it an action of "illegal immigrants." Vice President JD Vance also criticized via his social media (SNS), saying, "Rebels waving foreign flags are attacking immigration law enforcement."
Stephen Miller, a former aide to the Trump administration, expressed that "foreign nationals are rioting while waving foreign flags," and the Department of Homeland Security shared photos and videos of protesters holding the Mexican flag on social media.
In contrast, experts point out that such criticism is merely a political frame. Raúl Hinojosa-Ojeda, a UCLA professor, stated, "The Trump administration uses the Mexican flag as a symbol each time there is a demonstration like this," adding, "However, this should be seen as an expression of the pride of those whose identity and solidarity are under attack."
At the same time, the historical context of the demonstration is being reexamined. The Mexican flag also emerged as a central symbol during the protests against California's Proposition 187, which aimed to prohibit welfare for illegal immigrants in 1994. The demonstrators expressed pride through this flag, but the conservative camp viewed it as a symbol of anti-American sentiment.
Interpretations of this demonstration remain divided. Some conservatives worry that the act of waving foreign flags blurs the essence of immigration policy and divides public opinion. In contrast, immigration advocacy groups and Latinx activists rebut that it is "only an expression of pride in culture and community," stating that it is "solidarity, not provocation."
Antonio Rodriguez, an activist with the citizen group Brown Berets advocating for the rights of Mexican Americans, stated, "Just because someone carries a Mexican flag does not mean they are anti-American. It is pride in family and roots," and urged not to misunderstand those who shout their identity through the flag.