Protests Over ICE Raids Spread Across U.S. as National Guard, Marines Wait to Respond in Los Angeles
Protests over increased immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are beginning to spread across the U.S., as the epicenter of the demonstrations remains in Los Angeles.
Cities including New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Austin, and Seattle have seen protests pop up, some of which have resulted in violent clashes.
Downtown Los Angeles was under a curfew for the second straight night, after four nights of unrest following ICE raids on several LA locations to root out illegal immigrants.
The curfew resulted in dozens of arrests as city officials say it was necessary to stop vandalism and theft by agitators. “We reached a tipping point,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D).
National Guard Troops in Focus
This comes as the tension increases between President Trump and California leaders. The president activated 4,000 National Guard troops and has 700 U.S. Marines on standby ready to respond to the protests.
Major General Scott Sherman, who’s in charge of the National Guard units on the ground in Los Angeles, says troops temporarily detained protesters but turned them over to local law enforcement. The deployed troops also undergo training on civil unrest and those who provide security for immigration raids receive additional training.
Nevertheless, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) filed a lawsuit to stop the deployment, calling it illegal.
"This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president enflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers and even our National Guard at risk,” said Governor Newsom.
In a post, the president fired back. “The INCOMPETENT Governor of California was unable to provide protection in a timely manner when our ICE Officers, GREAT Patriots they are, were attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
ICE Updates on Raids
ICE has been under pressure by the White House to ramp up immigration enforcement actions, pushing for a target of 3,000 arrests a day.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says violent criminals are among those arrested in raids by ICE agents. Those arrested include suspects wanted for murder, lewd acts on a child, drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.
The agency has also expanded raids from the LA area into some of California’s agricultural communities.
“We are seeing an uptick in the chaotic presence of immigration enforcement, particularly the Border Patrol,” said Elizabeth Strater, vice president of the United Farm Workers as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “We’re seeing it in multiple areas.”
DHS did not give specific details but said that raids are occurring across the southern part of California.