National Guard being deployed to Los Angeles after immigration raids spark violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement
The US National Guard is being deployed to Los Angeles after immigration enforcement raids sparked violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
Federal agents faced off against demonstrators for a second day in a row on Saturday (local time), leading President Donald Trump to order the deployment of the National Guard.
Dozens of law enforcement personnel dressed in riot gear engaged in a tense confrontation with protesters in the Paramount area of southeast Los Angeles after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids as part of the Trump administration's pledge to deport record numbers of illegal immigrants.
President Trump condemned the action as a 'form of rebellion' as he announced 2,000 National Guard personnel would be deployed for up to 60 days.
'Numerous incidents of violence and disorder have recently occurred and threaten to continue in response to the enforcement of Federal law by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions and supporting the faithful execution of Federal immigration laws,' President Trump said
'To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.'
President Trump has placed the National Guard, which is usually a state-based military force, under the command of Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth for the duration of their deployment.
'To carry out this mission, the deployed military personnel may perform those military protective activities that the Secretary of Defense determines are reasonably necessary to ensure the protection and safety of Federal personnel and property,' the President's order states.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that "1,000 rioters surrounded a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings, and taxpayer funded property."
Footage from the clashes show dozens of green-uniformed security personnel with gas masks lined up on a road strewn with overturned shopping carts as small canisters exploded into gas clouds.
One protester said the demonstration showed federal officials 'they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are, and try to kidnap our workers, our people'.
'They cannot do that without an organised and fierce resistance," said protester Ron Gochez, 44.
At least one burnt-out car could be seen among the chaotic scenes, as some demonstrators displayed Mexican flags and others covered their mouths with respiratory masks.
The first clashes erupted in LA on Friday night (local time) after ICE officials carried out raids and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.
The raids were carried out at Home Depots in LA, where street vendors and day labourers were picked up, as well as at a garment factory and warehouse.
Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the U.S.-Mexico border, with the White House setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants per day.
But the administration has come under fire for depriving people of due process rights and several court challenges have been filed as people legally residing in the country – including some with permanent residence – have been caught up weeping immigration crackdown has also caught up.
Reuters was unable to verify DHS's accounts. Angelica Salas, executive director of immigrants rights organisation Chirla, said lawyers had not had access to those detained on Friday, which she called "very worrying."
However the Trump administration has shown little willingness to deviate from its approach, with Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem declaring the protests 'will not stop us or slow us down."
In a post on X, US Vice President JD Vance described the protesters as 'insurrectionists'.
'Insurrectionists carrying foreign flags are attacking immigration enforcement officers, while one half of America's political leadership has decided that border enforcement is evil. Time to pass President Trump's beautiful bill and further secure the border,' the Vice President stated.
The view of the Trump administration is in stark contrast to local officials in California, with LA Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, condemning the immigration raids.
"I am deeply angered by what has taken place," Ms Bass said.
"These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this."
Police Department officers did not take part in the immigration enforcement raids, however they were deployed to quell the civil unrest after, with a spokesperson telling Reuters police on the scene had declared an unlawful assembly, meaning that those who failed to leave the area were subject to arrest.
-With Reuters
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