A taxpayer-funded organization with Democratic ties and Chinese Communist Party connections has been orchestrating violent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, raising serious concerns about foreign influence in domestic activism and the misuse of public funds.
Key Takeaways
- The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) received $34 million in government grants in 2023 and has been linked to coordinating anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles.
- Another protest organizer, the Marxist Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), has connections to the Chinese Communist Party through funding from socialist billionaire Neville Singham.
- ICE officers faced a 413% increase in assaults during violent protests where over 1,000 rioters surrounded federal buildings, with officers and their families being doxxed and targeted.
- Federal officials have condemned Democrat politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass, for “dangerous rhetoric” that “villainizes” immigration enforcement officers.
- Despite the violence, ICE successfully arrested 118 illegal immigrants in Los Angeles operations, many with gang affiliations and criminal histories.
Taxpayer Dollars Funding Anti-ICE Protests
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), a taxpayer-funded organization with close ties to the Democratic Party, has emerged as a key player in the violent anti-ICE demonstrations that recently erupted across Los Angeles. Financial records reveal CHIRLA received nearly $34 million in government grants for the fiscal year ending June 2023, primarily from California state funds. This represents a staggering increase from the $12 million they received the previous year, raising questions about the rapid expansion of public funding to this activist organization.
Additionally, CHIRLA benefited from approximately $450,000 in Department of Homeland Security grants between October 2021 and September 2024, specifically for “citizenship education and training.” The irony of a DHS-funded organization participating in demonstrations against DHS immigration enforcement operations has not been lost on critics. In March, DHS severed ties with CHIRLA, terminating future funding and reclaiming nearly $101,000 in unpaid funds, though the exact reasons for this action remain unclear.
While CHIRLA denies direct involvement in the violence, claiming they only organized a press event and dispatched legal observers to immigration courts and detention centers, their role in mobilizing protesters and their rhetoric condemning the ICE operations has come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund organizations that undermine federal law enforcement operations and contribute to a climate of hostility toward immigration officials.
Chinese Communist Party Connections Raise National Security Concerns
Even more alarming are the connections between the protests and foreign influence operations. The Marxist Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), another organization involved in the Los Angeles demonstrations, has ties to the Chinese Communist Party. These connections flow through socialist billionaire Neville Singham, who has invested millions in groups linked to the Chinese government after selling his software company for $785 million in 2017. The involvement of CCP-connected organizations in protests targeting U.S. federal law enforcement raises serious national security concerns.
“The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom must call for it to end. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens. … From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is beyond the pale. This violence against ICE must end,” Said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The blend of taxpayer funding, partisan politics, and foreign influence creates a perfect storm of compromised activism that undermines American sovereignty and law enforcement. The protests in Los Angeles have effectively served as a proxy battlefield where these concerning elements converge to challenge the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. Conservative lawmakers are calling for comprehensive investigations into these funding streams and foreign connections to protect the integrity of our democratic processes.
Democrats’ Rhetoric Fuels Violence Against ICE Officers
Federal officials have condemned Democratic politicians for their inflammatory rhetoric that has contributed to the dangerous environment facing immigration enforcement officers. DHS reports show ICE officers have experienced a shocking 413% increase in assaults, with many officers and their family members being doxxed and targeted. During the Los Angeles protests, over 1,000 rioters surrounded the Roybal Federal Building, assaulting ICE officers attempting to carry out their lawful duties.
“As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement. These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens,” Said ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons
Both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have criticized the federal immigration raids rather than condemning the violence against law enforcement. Newsom even opposed the deployment of National Guard troops to restore order. President Trump has vowed federal intervention if local Democratic leaders cannot manage the situation, stating that the federal government will step in to solve the problem of “riots and looters” if necessary. Despite the obstruction and violence, ICE successfully completed its operations, arresting 118 illegal immigrants in Los Angeles, many with gang affiliations and criminal histories.
A Call for Accountability and Oversight
The disturbing connections between taxpayer funding, Democratic Party operatives, and Chinese Communist Party influences in these anti-immigration protests demand immediate congressional investigation and oversight. American taxpayers deserve to know why their money is being funneled to organizations that undermine federal law enforcement and potentially serve as vehicles for foreign influence operations. More stringent regulations must be implemented to ensure that government grants do not fund activities that compromise national security or obstruct the enforcement of our immigration laws.
“A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. @ICEgov will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Despite the orchestrated opposition, ICE continues to fulfill its mission of enforcing immigration laws and protecting American communities. The week-long operation resulted in the arrest of 2,000 illegal immigrants nationwide, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to upholding the rule of law regardless of political obstruction or foreign-influenced protests. The American people stand with our law enforcement officers against those who would use violence and foreign backing to undermine our sovereignty and border security.
