The U.S. government has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following two days of protests against immigration enforcement actions.
Demonstrators have clashed with federal agents across multiple locations, with tensions escalating amid growing concerns about civil liberties and law enforcement tactics.
Reuters initially reported that these protests erupted after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted large-scale raids, leading to multiple arrests.
In response, President Donald Trump authorized the National Guard deployment, citing the need to “restore order and enforce the law.”
Federal Officials Warn of Further Military Action
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that the Pentagon is prepared to mobilize active-duty troops if unrest continues. Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton have been placed on high alert, signaling that additional security forces could be deployed if protests escalate further.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, reaffirmed the administration’s stance, stating that federal agents must have the necessary support to conduct immigration enforcement without disruption.
Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance described the demonstrations as an “insurrection,” while White House aide Stephen Miller labelled them a “violent insurrection.” However, Reuters sources confirmed that the Insurrection Act has not been invoked, meaning military intervention remains a possibility but has yet to be formally ordered.
California Leaders Condemn Federal Intervention
California Governor Gavin Newsom has strongly opposed the federal response, calling the deployment “purposefully inflammatory” and urging demonstrators to remain peaceful. He further criticised Defence Secretary Hegseth’s warning of using Marines, describing it as “deranged behaviour” that threatens American civil liberties.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also condemned the federal raids, stating, “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city.”
Advocacy groups argue that immigration enforcement should not come at the expense of residents’ rights, with reports surfacing that some individuals legally residing in the U.S. have been caught up in ICE operations.
Escalating Protests and Civil Unrest
Videos of the protests show green-uniformed federal security personnel equipped with gas masks confronting demonstrators. Streets in southeast Los Angeles were littered with overturned shopping carts, while small canisters emitted clouds of tear gas.
Los Angeles police posted on X that “multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after multiple warnings were issued.” Authorities have yet to provide an official count of arrests, but protests continued throughout the night, with activists demanding justice for those detained.
Protest organizer Ron Gochez spoke on behalf of demonstrators, stating, “Now they know that they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are and try to kidnap our workers. They cannot do that without an organized and fierce resistance.”
Immigration Crackdown Sparks Broader Debate
Trump’s immigration policy has taken center stage as his administration vows to ramp up deportation of illegal migrants. The White House has set a daily target of 3,000 migrant arrests, leading to sweeping operations in urban centers.
According to a news report from Reuters, raids have reportedly taken place near Home Depot stores, targeting day laborers and street vendors, as well as at garment factories and warehouses. Civil rights organizations argue that these actions create fear among immigrant communities, making individuals hesitant to seek legal assistance or public services.
Despite legal challenges to some enforcement operations, the administration remains firm in its goal of reducing undocumented immigration. Advocates continue to push back against aggressive federal tactics, calling for increased oversight and due process for detainees.
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