Protests gather to denounce ICE, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, operations Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Dozens of Los Angeles-area mayors are calling on the Trump administration to immediately stop stepped-up immigration raids. Their urgent plea follows growing unrest, community fear, and violent clashes with law enforcement during recent protest.
United Stand Against Immigration Raids
On Wednesday, city leaders from across Los Angeles unified in protest against the federal government’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The mayors condemned the raids, saying they are terrifying local communities and igniting protests nationwide.
Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos of Paramount made an emotional appeal. “Stop terrorizing our residents,” she said, recalling how she was struck by rubber bullets during a demonstration.
Military Backing Immigration Agents
Despite these appeals, President Trump shows no signs of backing down.
Around 500 National Guard troops have been assigned to assist with immigration operations in Los Angeles. Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman confirmed that some Guard members have already joined agents on raids.
“We are expecting a ramp-up,” Sherman stated. While the full scope remains uncertain, the federal government’s posture appears to be intensifying rather than easing.
Downtown Protests Turn Violent
Wednesday evening, what began as a peaceful protest in LA’s Civic Center quickly escalated. Police in riot gear — many on horseback — charged a group of demonstrators. Officers used wooden rods and fired crowd-control projectiles. One young woman was seriously injured and seen bleeding from her hip.
Witnesses said the protest had been calm until reaching the federal building. “It was peaceful the whole time,” said protester Raymond Martinez. “Then the horses came.”
Curfew to Stay as Long as Raids Continue
Mayor Karen Bass said the city’s downtown curfew would remain in effect as long as needed. The restricted zone spans roughly one square mile in the city’s center.
“If there are soldiers on our streets or raids continue, the curfew will continue,” she declared during the press conference.
Law enforcement has made nearly 400 arrests since protests began. Most were detained for violating curfew orders. A few individuals face more serious charges, including assaulting officers and carrying weapons like Molotov cocktails.
Governor Newsom Challenges Federal Action
California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal steps against the military’s involvement in immigration enforcement. He filed an emergency request in federal court to halt the use of troops alongside agents in Los Angeles.
The Trump administration dismissed the lawsuit as a “crass political stunt.” However, a federal judge has scheduled a hearing to address the governor’s concerns.
National Guard’s Role Sparks Confusion
Gen. Sherman initially said Guard troops had temporarily detained civilians during immigration-related protests. He later walked back the claim, clarifying that the images he referenced did not depict Guard members in Los Angeles.
The military is authorized only to detain individuals attacking officers. Arrests must be carried out by trained law enforcement.
President Trump, posting on Truth Social, insisted the city “would be burning” without military intervention.
Protests Sweep Across the Nation
The outrage is not limited to LA. Demonstrations have erupted across major cities including New York, Chicago, Austin, and Dallas. In New York, police arrested 86 protesters in lower Manhattan. Authorities noted that most protests were peaceful.
In Chicago, a 66-year-old woman was hit by a speeding vehicle during a downtown protest. In Texas, Guard troops were placed on standby. Austin police used chemical agents to disperse crowds earlier this week.
Trigger: LA Immigration Raids
This wave of unrest began last Friday when federal immigration raids led to the arrest of dozens of workers in Los Angeles. The community backlash has since grown into a national movement against what many see as excessive use of force and fear-driven policies.
