CBP Deploys Predator Drones, Black Hawks to Surveil Downtown LA

At least two MQ-9 Reaper, or Predator B, drones circled downtown Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday without call signs.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

U.S. Customs and Border Protection began flying the MQ-9 Reaper, or Predator B, in 2005 and uses it primarily to survey the southern border. [Courtesy: General Atomics]

Key Takeaways:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones for aerial surveillance over Los Angeles to monitor Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and subsequent protests, a fact uncovered through flight data and air traffic control audio.
CBP confirmed the drone deployments, stating they provided "aerial support" and "officer safety surveillance" for federal partners, explicitly denying surveillance of First Amendment activities, and noting the drones lack facial recognition but can identify other characteristics like weapons or clothing.
This incident highlights the domestic deployment of military-grade drones by federal agencies, linked to a CBP operational center in Texas, and suggests a potential precedent for similar surveillance during civil unrest in other U.S. cities.

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Federal authorities are turning to aerial surveillance to keep an eye on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and subsequent protests in Los Angeles.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed at least two MQ-9 Reaper drones—also known as the Predator B—to downtown LA on Sunday and Monday, according to flight data and air traffic control (ATC) audio uncovered by social media user Aeroscout and first reported by 404 Media on Tuesday.