ICE made 212 arrests in Los Angeles region

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says its agents arrested 212 people in a five-day operation around the Los Angeles region.

Agents also served 122 notices to businesses that they will be audited to determine whether they are employing people who are in the country illegally.

The agency says 88 percent of those arrested are convicted criminals.

The raids triggered a protest late Thursday in downtown Los Angeles, where a Homeland Security van was blocked from entering the federal Metropolitan Detention Center. Police were called and a dispersal order was given, but there were no arrests.

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7:19 a.m.

Stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws at Southern California businesses triggered a protest in downtown Los Angeles.

A group of immigrant rights advocates chanting “stop the deportations” and other slogans blocked a Homeland Security van from entering the federal Metropolitan Detention Center late Thursday.

The Los Angeles Times reports that police were called and a dispersal order was issued, but no one was arrested.

The protest followed a five-day sweep by the Homeland Security Investigations arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that targeted businesses suspected of hiring workers who are in the country illegally.

During the operation more than 120 businesses were issued audit notices.