Did I read this right?

Apparently not, because neither the slideshow content nor even the original title (as opposed to the editorialized submitter title) says anything of the kind.

These are routine, daily felony warrant pursuits. They aren't "random", and they aren't new. The only change is the added protection.

I'm really tired of being called a fascist for wanting to live in a country with boarders.

You certainly didn't misapprehend the narrative this article is trying to push. I don't think immigration enforcement should stop as a result of the pandemic, if anything we should be even more determined to discourage illegal entry.

>You certainly didn't misapprehend the narrative this article is trying to push. //

Were the arrests made in any way affected by the state of emergency?

One photo says "David A. Marin, a director of enforcement and removal operations with ICE. ICE officers are being joined by U.S. Customs & Border Protection agents in the last few weeks, as more resources are deployed in sanctuary cities. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)".

Was this normal operation, or have the activities against "sanctuary cities" been stepped up; and is that related to State of Emergency powers?

See the reply by masonic. The article makes no mention of this being different other than the added protection for the officers, but like I said the tone is clearly attempting to give that impression without actually saying it.