President Donald Trump has sent 2,000 National Guard troops and federal agents to Los Angeles after protests broke out in response to aggressive ICE immigration raids.
ICE-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-is the agency at the fore-front of implementing the harsh immigration policies and crackdown by the Trump’s Administration.
The ICE immigration raids had targeted undocumented immigrants in Southern California, sparking widespread anger and fear among residents.
ICE agents have been conducting large-scale operations in recent weeks, arresting hundreds of people suspected of living in the U.S. without legal status. Many of these raids have taken place near schools, churches, and workplaces, which critics say is meant to intimidate immigrant communities.
Protesters have been gathering in front of federal buildings and city streets, demanding that the ICE immigration raids stop and calling for immigration reform.
In response to the growing demonstrations, Trump said the National Guard was necessary to “restore order” and protect federal agents. “These are not peaceful protests,” Trump said. “We’re dealing with violent mobs who are trying to disrupt law enforcement.”
The move has triggered a political firestorm. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment “illegal and dangerous,” saying it disrespects the rights of states to manage their own affairs. “This is a misuse of military power against peaceful protesters,” he said, promising to take legal action.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also criticized the decision, saying it would only increase fear in immigrant communities. “Los Angeles is a city of immigrants,” she said. “This military-style response does nothing to help public safety.”
Democrats in Congress have slammed Trump’s actions. Senator Cory Booker said it was another example of the president using fear to divide the country. “When it was the Capitol under attack, Trump stayed silent. But now he’s quick to send troops to silence dissent,” he said.
Some Republicans, however, defended the decision. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president was right to “use strength to keep the peace.”
Legal experts say the move may violate state rights and could lead to a court battle.
The protests show no signs of stopping, and the situation continues to fuel the national debate over immigration, policing, and presidential power.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the violent broke out a week after the U.S. Supreme Court took away legal protections for as much as 500,000 migrants, including thousands who came into the U.S. through the Biden-era immigration policy.
Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are among the most affected immigrant communities as the the apex court ruling, which removed the legal protections previously enjoyed by these groups of migrants now exposes them to arrest and deportation by the ICE.
