On Saturday, President Donald Trump took control of 2,000 California National Guard forces from Governor Gavin Newsom and deployed them in Los Angeles amid clashes between police and protestors. The move has been justified by Trump as necessary to protect federal workers and buildings. However, this reasoning is questioned by both Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Newsom stated that the “move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.”
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth added to the tension by threatening to send active-duty troops if protests continued. This threat materialized when 700 marines were deployed from Twentynine Palms to Los Angeles.
The protests are part of a nationwide movement against intensified raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), occurring in cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Phoenix, Arizona. As a candidate, Trump had promised “mass deportations” starting with the “worst of the worst.” Now, ICE has been instructed to deport 3,000 people daily.
To achieve this target, immigration officials have conducted raids at various locations including stores like Home Depot in Westlake, California; hotels; elementary school graduation ceremonies; and construction sites. These actions indicate that ICE is targeting families and working individuals.
Furthermore, ICE agents have begun appearing outside immigration courts where cases proceed. After court hearings, individuals exiting the courtroom have been detained by ICE agents in front of their families. In some cases, individuals were detained even after judges dismissed their deportation cases or interrupted ongoing proceedings.
Most detainees face rapid deportation procedures known as “expedited removal,” which limit their opportunity to present their case in court. Although immigrants can claim asylum to avoid expedited removal, Human Rights Watch’s research on third-country nationals deported to Panama and Costa Rica raises concerns about whether these claims will be honored.
These ICE actions have sparked protests across the nation. Critics argue that the Trump administration’s immigration policies are abusive and warn against further escalation through military involvement in addressing protests.
