A wave of protests over aggressive federal immigration enforcement escalated into a national confrontation Tuesday, as the Trump administration deployed hundreds of Marines and National Guard troops to downtown Los Angeles, prompting more than 500 arrests and a federal lawsuit from California officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass enforced a nightly curfew in a one-square-mile downtown zone after 29 businesses were looted Monday night. "If you drive through downtown L.A., the graffiti is everywhere and has caused significant damages," Bass said. More than 300 people have been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department since Saturday, according to city officials.
The protests-fueled by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids-have spread to more than a dozen cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Seattle. NBC News tallied at least 25 demonstrations nationwide since Monday, some drawing thousands.
ICE confirmed it is conducting "targeted enforcement operations" and posted an image showing a detainee in handcuffs flanked by federal agents and a camouflage-painted military Humvee in Los Angeles. In Nebraska, 80 individuals were arrested in a raid on Glenn Valley Foods and Lala Dairy, according to local officials. Chad Hartmann, a spokesperson for Glenn Valley Foods, stated the company is cooperating with agents and "is not being charged with any crime."
President Donald Trump, along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, ordered the deployment of 700 Marines and over 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. "All we want is safety," Trump said Tuesday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom filed an emergency request for a temporary restraining order to block the expansion of troops' authority, calling the deployment an unlawful "power grab." Rep. Nanette Barragán said, "Overnight in Los Angeles, the LAPD got it under control... and then all of a sudden, the National Guard showed up. We know this is intended to create chaos, to escalate the tensions."
Under federal law, military forces cannot perform law enforcement functions unless an insurrection is declared. Nonetheless, the Marines are expected to begin operations Wednesday, supporting ICE personnel in security and transportation roles, according to U.S. Northern Command.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the LAPD had not been notified of the Marine deployment and warned that "the arrival of federal military forces in Los Angeles-absent clear coordination-presents a significant logistical and operational challenge for those of us charged with safeguarding this city."
Democratic lawmakers held a press conference Tuesday, denouncing the troop presence. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi framed the ICE protests in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, criticizing Trump for refusing to send the National Guard during that crisis while activating troops in California without local input.
Tensions have flared across the country. In Philadelphia, 14 protesters were arrested outside the Federal Detention Center. In New York City, at least 30 people were arrested, including two dozen from the lobby of Trump Tower. In Austin, Texas, protesters clashed with police who responded with gas and less-lethal munitions. Four officers were injured.
ICE's crackdown also drew union opposition after SEIU California President David Huerta was arrested June 6 in Los Angeles for allegedly blocking agents during a workplace raid. His arrest triggered rallies in Boston, Washington, and other cities.
Protests are expected to continue in multiple cities. In Seattle, demonstrators gathered outside a federal immigration court. In Las Vegas, protesters coordinated with local police to avoid arrests. A car veered toward a group of protesters in Chicago, though no injuries were reported.
At the federal level, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, "ICE will continue to enforce the law," signaling no pause in operations despite rising tensions. Bass criticized Noem and Trump-appointed "border czar" Tom Homan, who suggested she and Newsom could be arrested for impeding federal agents.
"The White House instigated this by having ICE raids in our city," Bass said. "They are telling us that they're going to have raids for the next 30 days."
