Helmeted police in riot gear turned out on Friday evening in a tense confrontation with protesters in downtown Los Angeles, after a day of federal immigration raids in which dozens of people across the city were reported to be taken into custody.

Surprise U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps in downtown Los Angeles prompted fierce pushback from elected officials and protesters, who decried the action as "cruel and unnecessary."

Approximately 44 people” were administratively arrested ​​and one person was arrested on an obstruction charge, Homeland Security Investigations said.