LOS ANGELES (AP) — After federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people Friday across Los Angeles, protesters gathered outside a federal detention center demanding their release before police in riot gear tossed tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

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

A local immigrant rights organization said more than 45 people were detained in the operations, which were described as “random sweeps.”