More than 300 U.S. National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles on June 8 following orders from former President Donald Trump, escalating tensions over a controversial immigration enforcement operation. The deployment came after two days of coordinated raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which sparked widespread protests and reports of violent clashes between authorities and residents.
Local activists documented scenes of demonstrators blocking ICE vehicles in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods, while California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal action as "an overreach of power." Newsom announced plans to challenge the White House in court, arguing the deployment violates state sovereignty.
The operation highlights deepening divisions over U.S. immigration policy ahead of the November presidential election. Analysts suggest the move could galvanize both Trump's base and opposition groups in key battleground states.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for calm, stating: "We must protect all residents while upholding the rule of law." Meanwhile, immigrant advocacy groups have organized legal aid hotlines and protest marches scheduled throughout the week.
