The fight against illegal immigration, which Donald Trump has declared one of his key priorities as US president, appears to have entered a critical phase. In pursuing this goal, to deport 1 million people from the country during the first year of Trump’s second term, the White House has faced opposition from human rights activists and now has to deal with public unrest. State and city leaders are not always on the same page as federal authorities, which serves as yet another reminder that immigration is one of the most pressing political issues facing America.
In recent days, California, where Democrats hold power and the majority of the population openly dislikes the incumbent president, has become a battleground. Another ICE raid in Los Angeles sparked fierce protests on Friday that continued into the following day.
According to eyewitnesses, officers who encountered resistance during an operation to identify people illegally in the United States used tear gas and flashbang grenades.
National Guards heading to LA
The US authorities will “liberate” Los Angeles from migrants, President Donald Trump said after sending the National Guard to the city to quell protests against his immigration policy.
“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals. Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations — But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve. I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in coordination with all other relevant Departments and Agencies, to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots. Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The US Department of Homeland Security reported an attack on a federal law enforcement building in Los Angeles. The California prosecutor’s office said more than a dozen protesters had been arrested and warned of possible further arrests.
Against this backdrop, Trump decided to send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. They will temporarily protect immigration and customs agents, as well as government employees and federal property.
Local authorities disagreed with the Republican measure. Governor Gavin Newsom called the president’s move “deliberate incitement.” Nevertheless, on Sunday, National Guard troops began arriving in the state.
