GOP Sen. Josh Hawley on Wednesday directed one of the activist groups at the center of the initial Los Angeles anti-deportation protests to preserve communications and records and cease any involvement with the ongoing “unlawful activities.” 

The letter comes as the FBI says it is probing the money trail behind those organizing and promoting the demonstrations, which are now spreading across the country, Just the News reported Monday.

“While peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American democracy, these demonstrations have escalated into lawless mob actions. They have obstructed federal law enforcement, endangered public safety, and disrupted the rule of law. This lawlessness is unacceptable. It must end,” Hawley, the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, wrote in a letter Wednesday.  

“Credible reporting now suggests that your organization has provided logistical support and financial resources to individuals engaged in these disruptive actions,” he continued. 

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) staged one of the first Los Angeles rallies last week protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the city. After the initial demonstrations, which remained peaceful, the anti-ICE protests escalated over the weekend to include more than 1,000 rioters filmed assaulting immigration officers, burning self-driving vehicles, temporarily closing down at least one city highway, and throwing concrete rocks at law enforcement officers.

The Missouri senator asked the group to preserve all internal communications, financial documents related to the protests, and grant applications related to immigration enforcement. 

"Failure to comply will result in additional action by this Subcommittee, including potential referral for criminal investigation,” Hawley wrote. 

State of California financial documents show that CHIRLA received a significant portion of its recent operating budgets from both state and federal government funding for immigration services.

“During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the Organization received government contract revenue of $33,966,572 including $32,526,542 or 96% from the State of California to provide immigration related services,” the group’s most recent financials reads. A similar percentage of revenue from the State of California was recorded in the prior year’s statements. 

The Biden administration also awarded two “Citizenship and Integration” grants to the organization in 2023 for a total of $193,030. The federal grants were ongoing until earlier this year, when the Trump administration terminated them. The group was slated to received a total of $450,000 before the grant was ended.