US President Donald Trump has deployed national guard soldiers in Los Angeles following protests against immigration raids in the city, escalating a promise of “mass deportations”. The move is part of a deliberate strategy to quell opposition and enforce strict immigration policies.
Trump’s administration had promised to crack down on protesters, with warnings to local leaders that at least 30 days of ramped-up enforcement were imminent. However, the show of force may have sparked a backlash from Los Angeles residents, who are responding with massive protests.
The city has seen brutal immigration raids and strict measures under Trump’s presidency, including ICE agents ambushing people in their homes and detaining asylum seekers in harsh conditions. Despite initial resistance, institutions had begun to comply with threats, leading to muffled objections from politicians.
Trump came after Los Angeles, fueled by reports of federal brutality, including arrests without warrants and teargas attacks on protesters. The deployment has sparked widespread outrage, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) accusing immigration agents of violating civil rights.
Lawyers report that families have been separated and denied access to attorneys, while masked officers attacked workers at their jobs. The Los Angeles Times columnist Anita Chabria wrote that the images of protesters being shoved to the ground have angered millions of union workers nationwide.
The administration’s response has been met with fierce resistance, with California Governor Gavin Newsom calling the suggestion of deploying Marines “deranged”. The White House border czar, Tom Homan, has defended the strategy, citing a plan to “flood the zone” on immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/09/los-angeles-trump-immigration