(Malavika Nandivelugu writes from California)
The city of Los Angeles is grappling with its third consecutive day of protests and civil unrest sparked by immigration raids conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations, which began on June 6, have escalated into violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy at least 2,000 California National Guard troops to the city, a move that has deepened tensions with state and local leaders.
What sparked the unrest?
The unrest erupted following a series of high-profile ICE operations targeting undocumented immigrants across Los Angeles County.
On June 6, federal agents raided multiple locations, including a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District, a Home Depot in Paramount, and other workplaces. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 118 undocumented immigrants were arrested, including five individuals identified as gang members with prior criminal histories. These raids were part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy initiated by the Trump administration, which has prioritized mass deportations and workplace sweeps.
The raids have struck a nerve in Los Angeles, a sanctuary city with a large Latino and immigrant population. Community members, fearing family separations and widespread detentions, took to the streets to protest what they perceived as heavy-handed tactics. The situation escalated when protesters clashed with ICE agents and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), particularly near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Center, where detainees were reportedly held.
Los Angeles’ designation as a sanctuary city, reaffirmed by the City Council in November 2024 following Trump’s election victory over Kamala Harris, has put it at odds with federal immigration policies. The city’s commitment to protecting immigrants has galvanized local resistance to ICE operations.
The raids, targeting everyday workplaces like Home Depot, have instilled fear in immigrant communities. Many residents view the actions as an attack on their families and livelihoods, prompting widespread mobilization.
Tensions escalate in the city
On June 6, protests turned chaotic as demonstrators blocked streets and confronted federal agents. In Paramount, a predominantly Latino community, protesters set up barricades with shopping carts and lit fires, prompting federal agents to deploy tear gas, flashbangs, and pepper balls. In Compton, a car was set ablaze at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and E. Alondra Boulevard, and images of protesters celebrating near burning vehicles have circulated widely.
By June 7, the unrest spread, with reports of protesters throwing rocks, bottles, and commercial-grade fireworks at law enforcement. The LAPD declared a citywide tactical alert and issued dispersal orders, while federal agents used less-lethal munitions to control crowds. At least 56 arrests were made in downtown Los Angeles, with charges including obstruction and assault on officers. One notable arrest was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union California, charged with impeding a federal agent.
The situation took a dramatic turn on June 8 when President Trump invoked 10 U.S.C. § 12406 to federalize the California National Guard, bypassing Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority. This marked the first time since 1965 that a president has deployed a state’s National Guard without the governor’s consent.
By June 9, approximately 300 National Guard troops were on the ground, with 500 Marines on standby 230 kilometers east of the city. Protesters responded by blocking the 101 Freeway, setting fire to two Waymo self-driving cars, and engaging in further standoffs with police, who reported 27 additional arrests.