Undocumented Vendors to Evade ICE- Are LA Activist Groups Funding the Frontlines

1. The Claim: Activists Paying Vendors to Evade ICE

In the wake of recent ICE operations in Los Angeles, social media posts and fringe outlets have alleged that leftist groups are paying undocumented street vendors “thousands” to stay off the streets and avoid detection ie Evade ICE. These claims, however, remain unverified by any major news outlet or law enforcement agency.

What is confirmed is that several well-funded activist organizations, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), have played prominent roles in organizing anti-ICE demonstrations. These protests intensified after the arrest of SEIU California President David Huerta during an ICE raid.

While these groups have provided legal aid, protest supplies, and public advocacy, no credible evidence has surfaced showing direct payments to individuals to evade ICE. The FBI is currently investigating the financial networks behind the protests, but the scope of that probe has not been publicly disclosed.

2. Activist Funding Under Scrutiny

CHIRLA, a central figure in the immigration rights movement, has received millions in government grants, including from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for citizenship education and legal services. However, the DHS terminated CHIRLA’s funding in March 2025, citing a misalignment with departmental priorities.

Despite this, CHIRLA continues to receive state-level funding, including a $3 million grant from California’s Department of Social Services in 2023 to provide free legal services to immigrants. These funds are earmarked for lawful activities such as deportation defense and naturalization assistance—not for protest coordination or evasion tactics.

The Washington Examiner and Daily Caller have reported on the coordinated nature of recent protests, noting that some demonstrators were supplied with gas masks, earplugs, and water bottles. While these reports raise questions about protest logistics, they do not substantiate claims of payments to undocumented vendors.

3. The Bigger Picture: Immigration, Protest, and Public Perception

The narrative around undocumented immigrants and protest funding is deeply polarizing. For some, the idea of activist groups shielding vulnerable communities from ICE represents a moral stand against what they see as unjust enforcement. For others, it raises concerns about the misuse of public funds and the undermining of federal law.

What’s clear is that immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has become a flashpoint, with activist groups, law enforcement, and federal agencies locked in a high-stakes battle over policy, perception, and power. As investigations continue, it’s essential to separate fact from speculation. While activist groups are undeniably active in supporting immigrant communities, the claim that they are paying vendors to stay home remains unsubstantiated.

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