Reaper Drones used to assist ICE amid raids and protests in Los Angeles

The federal response to anti-ice protests in LA don't just include boots on the ground

but eyes in the sky as well. MQ-9 Reapers were spotted flying over protesters in Los Angeles

Aviation enthusiasts first tracked the drones in the skies above Paramount and downtown LA during

the first weekend of the protests, which are in response to the Trump administration's ramped up

immigration raids across the United States. After stressing to focus only on the hardest

criminals first, immigration and custom enforcement agents conducted a series of raids

at locations like factories and meatpacking plants. After the Reapers were spotted flying over LA

the drones reportedly headed to the southern border. Civil rights advocates say they're

concerned about the deployment of drones over protests and amid ICE raids, calling it a

violation of First Amendment rights. The belief is the drones may be used as a form of intimidation

or surveillance by the federal government. Chatter grew stronger after DHS released a video on X

saying it was drone footage of LA rioters and for California politicians to quote

call off the mob Audio recordings from air traffic control by an aviation tracking enthusiast obtained and reviewed by 404 Media reveal a pair of Reapers flying to and from Los Angeles

Critics of the enhanced security measure, like L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, call the drones a power grab by the Trump administration

They accuse the president of deploying the National Guard, Marines, and now drones

to manufacture a crisis. Civil Liberty watchdogs are also warning if the drones are being used for potential surveillance purposes

they could be employing facial recognition technology as well. Critics contend the aircraft are less about public safety and more a tactic of intimidation

CBP confirmed to Fly Magazine it did deploy a pair of Reapers near and over downtown LA

but the agency denies they were equipped with any facial recognition tech

or being used as a means of intimidation. In a statement, the agency said the drones are there to support federal authorities, including ICE

They say the Reapers do have cameras, but they're not of that great a quality

noting they are able to detect a weapon or color of clothing

but unable to distinguish distinct physical characteristics of a person. For more unbiased, straight-fact updates like this, download the Straight Arrow News app today