Left-wing advocacy groups in the hot seat as anti-ICE riots trigger investigation: ‘Not protected speech’

The anti-ICE protests and riots in Los Angeles brought heightened scrutiny on activist groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Union del Barrio.

CHIRLA and the other groups are now subject to an investigation by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO., through the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said that the Internal Revenue Service is looking into any possible funding of “violent” acts, according to CBS News.

Hawley sent letters to the groups for an “alleged role in financing and materially supporting the coordinated protests and riots that have gulfed Los Angeles.”

ANTI-ICE RIOT FUNDING INVESTIGATED AFTER ‘NUMEROUS HIGH BUDGET REQUESTS’ FOR PAID AGITATORS WERE REPORTED

“Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions,” Hawley wrote in the letters. “Let me be clear: bankrolling civil unrest is not protected speech. It is aiding and abetting criminal conduct.”

CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas condemned the ICE sweeps in Los Angeles during a news conference with Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday, adding that Republicans are “saying the most vicious lies of who we are, what we do and what we’re about.”

“And yes, we have received a letter from Sen. Josh Hawley. But what I want you to know is that’s not going to deter us, it’s not going to intimidate us from standing with our immigrant community,” Salas said.

CHIRLA said they have not played a role in the violence, according to the New York Post earlier this week. Some parts of the city faced property damage, including vehicles and businesses.

The organization has received $34 million in taxpayer funding in the past, including $750,000 under the Biden administration, according to IRS records obtained by Fox News.

SEN JOSH HAWLEY EXPANDS PROBE INTO GROUPS ALLEGEDLY FUNDING ANTI-ICE RIOTS, THREATENS SUBPOENAS

The group runs a “rapid-response network,” which Salas mentioned in the press conference has been busy with the recent ICE arrest operations in the area.

“Yesterday, our raids rapid response network did not stop receiving calls until after 7 p.m.,” Salas said. “And so, there’s two kinds of reports. It’s the community is also very scared. So even if they’re not at an enforcement site, what’s happening is they’re witnessing everything.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

CHIRLA operates a “deportation defense” legal team, along with other immigration resources, according to its website.

“CHIRLA relies on the love and vision of our community to organize and build power among people, institutions, and organizations to change public opinion and craft progressive policies that promote human, civil and labor rights for everyone,” the group’s website states on its mission page.

SENATOR LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO DEMOCRATIC ORG OVER POTENTIAL SUPPORT FOR LA RIOTERS

President Donald Trump has claimed “paid insurrections” have played a role in the riots, as a legal battle plays out between him and the state of California for his National Guard troop deployment to the civil unrest.

Fox News Digital reached out to CHIRLA for further comment.

The FBI told Fox News Digital earlier this week that if any evidence of a criminal conspiracy emerges, they will look into it.

“We’re investigating anyone who crosses the line from first-amendment protected activity to violence and are prepared to prosecute anyone who assaults a federal officer or causes damage to government property,” Laura Eimiller, media coordinator for the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, told Fox News Digital in an email at the time. “LAPD, as you know, is also making arrests for unlawful assembly.  Obviously, any evidence of a criminal conspiracy will be investigated.”