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

MQ-9 Reaper Drones, often used in foreign combat zones, were flying over protesters in Los Angeles. Aviation experts first tracked the drones in the skies above Paramount and downtown Los Angeles over the weekend of June 7 and into Monday, June 9, amid mass demonstrations against the Trump administration’s ramped-up immigration raids across the country.

Civil rights advocates raise concerns

The drone flew over southern California before heading toward the U.S.-Mexico border. At first, it lacked a call sign, which caused concerns among civil rights advocates over a possible infringement on First Amendment rights. Suspicions were raised about the potential use of Reaper Drones when the Department of Homeland Security released a video on X that read, “DHS drone footage of LA rioters.” The post went on to say, “California politicians must call off their rioting mob.” 

Audio recordings from air traffic control by “an aviation tracking enthusiast,” obtained and reviewed by 404 Media, reportedly show a pair of Predator drones flying to and from Los Angeles.

It’s not the first time drones have been deployed over protests in the U.S. In 2020, DHS deployed Predators amid mass demonstrations in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. The Guardian reported the drones flew over 15 cities where Black Lives Matter protests took place. Then, the flights logged more than 270 hours of surveillance footage. The Los Angeles Police Department also requested Amazon Ring doorbell footage of the protests.

Mayor Bass criticizes deployment of Reapers

Critics, including Los Angeles’ Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, called the drones over LA a “test case” for authoritarianism.

“This is what happens when the federal government moves in and takes authority away from the state, or away from local government,” Bass said. “I don’t think our city should be used for an experiment.” Bass accused the Trump administration of sparking the “chaos” in Los Angeles and said the raids were unnecessary. 

Civil liberties organizations warned that the use of drones by the federal government crosses a line, opening the door for potential surveillance as well as use of facial recognition software and an erosion of free speech rights. Advocates argue the aircraft are less about public safety and more about intimidating activists. 

CBP responds

CBP confirmed to Flying Magazine that it deployed a pair of MQ-9 Reaper Drones near and over downtown LA, but refuted claims that they were equipped with any facial recognition software or as a means for intimidation.

“Air and Marine Operations’ MQ-9 Predators are supporting our federal law enforcement partners in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement with aerial support operations,” the statement read. “Additionally, they are providing officer safety surveillance when requested by officers.. AMO is not engaged in the surveillance of first amendment activities.”

The agency told Flying Magazine that the drones do not feature facial recognition technology and only have cameras that can detect a weapon or the color of clothing, but they are not advanced enough to distinguish physical characteristics that may identify an individual. 

CBP began flying the drones around 20 years ago and employs them in surveillance at the southern border. However, a Vice investigation revealed that CBP “regularly” flies the aircraft to cities far from the U.S.-Mexico border.

Gone for now

Multiple news outlets report the Reapers appeared to be gone from the skies at last check on Wednesday, June 11. Additionally, 404 Media found that CBP also used a UH-60 Black Hawk on Sunday, June 8 along with other federal and local law enforcement aircraft.