The Trump administration has deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles to support intensified immigration raids, a move that has caused nationwide protests and sharp criticism from Democratic leaders. The deployment of 700 Marines, expected to arrive by Monday night or Tuesday morning, is part of a wider plan to clamp down on undocumented immigrants, especially in states opposing federal immigration policies.
California officials quickly opposed the move. The state government filed a lawsuit to stop the deployment of both the National Guard and the Marines, arguing it violates state rights. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the action as a dangerous step toward authoritarianism, stressing that only the state has the authority to call in the National Guard.
The protests in downtown Los Angeles entered their fourth day on Monday. Demonstrators gathered outside a federal detention center, chanting against the raids and waving flags of Mexico and Central American nations. Police later broke up the protest using tear gas and flash bangs, arresting several people.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the federal action and said operations to arrest undocumented immigrants will only increase. She claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had recently detained around 2,000 people per day — a sharp rise from the 311 daily average during the previous Biden administration.
While federal officials say the deployment is only temporary, it comes amid strong disagreement from both state officials and Democratic lawmakers. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was deeply troubled by the use of military forces to carry out what he called a political agenda.
This is one of the rare times U.S. military troops have been used during civil unrest. Though the president has not invoked the Insurrection Act, he still holds authority as commander in chief to send in military support under specific conditions.
Across the country, protests have erupted in at least nine other cities, including New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. In Austin, Texas, police clashed with hundreds of protesters, detaining several people after using nonlethal force.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass voiced her opposition, saying, “This is a city of immigrants.” Noem quickly fired back, calling Los Angeles “a city of criminals.”
Despite the growing unrest, President Trump expressed support for arresting Governor Newsom, saying he backed the idea floated by his immigration adviser, Tom Homan.
As tensions rise, federal and local leaders remain deeply divided over immigration enforcement and the role of the military in American cities. Protesters, meanwhile, continue calling for an end to the raids, saying they threaten the freedoms of all Americans, no matter where they or their families come from.