Factually! with Adam Conover Fighting ICE with Journalism, with Memo Torres
Apr 1, 2026
Memo Torres, a multimedia reporter at L.A. Taco who documents ICE activity on the ground in Los Angeles. He discusses visible airport confrontations, the agency’s growing logistics and detention tactics, how raids ripple through local businesses and workers, and the power of community-embedded journalism to track and resist enforcement. The conversation also covers burnout and plans to expand street-level reporting.
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ICE Targets Compliant Check‑Ins And Old Dismissed Charges
- Many people taken by ICE are compliant check‑in attendees or had dismissed charges, not violent criminals.
- Memo notes arrests from court check‑ins, ISAP appointments, and past dismissed charges used as pretexts for detention.
Bond Hikes And Rule Changes Prolong Detention
- Bond and detention policies have been tightened to keep people longer in custody.
- Memo describes higher bond amounts ($10k–$20k) and expanded rules that raise average detention from ~30 days to ~6 months.
Raids Crushed Foot Traffic And Local Businesses
- ICE raids devastated local businesses and foot traffic across immigrant neighborhoods.
- Memo cites LA County data and interviews: 82% of businesses saw >50% decline in foot traffic and barbers/restaurants losing regular customers.