A wave of federal immigration enforcement actions that began on June 7, 2025, triggered widespread unrest throughout Los Angeles, culminating in the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and a legal challenge from Governor Gavin Newsom. The operations, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted various neighborhoods including Paramount, Compton, and downtown LA, and resulted in over 120 arrests.
The federal deployment — invoked under Title 10 — marks the first time since 1965 that a president activated a state’s National Guard without its governor’s consent. President Donald Trump said the order was meant to “temporarily protect ICE and other federal personnel.”
Governor Gavin Newsom called the move unconstitutional and confirmed that California will sue the Trump administration. “This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted,” Newsom said. “He flamed the fires and illegally acted to federalize the National Guard… We’re suing him.”
Escalation: From Paramount to Downtown
The unrest began Saturday morning in Paramount, where ICE agents were spotted near a Home Depot according to the LA Times. Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. livestreamed the scene, declaring, “No en mi distrito. Not in my district.” Protesters soon gathered, clashing with federal agents and deputies. Tear gas and flash-bang grenades were fired, and barricades of concrete blocks were erected by demonstrators.
That afternoon, violence spread to Compton, where a car was set on fire at Alondra Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. Law enforcement responded with more crowd-control munitions. By the evening, the chaos reached downtown Los Angeles, as demonstrators marched toward the Metropolitan Detention Center.
On June 8, protesters vandalized property, spray-painted anti-ICE messages, and destroyed six Waymo autonomous vehicles, three of which were set on fire. Some protesters blocked the 101 Freeway, throwing scooters and concrete at law enforcement. A CHP vehicle was damaged, prompting officers to fire tear gas.
The LAPD declared all of downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly zone, resulting in 42 arrests according to KTLA. Offenses included arson, assault with a deadly weapon on officers, looting, and failure to disperse. At least five LAPD and six CHP officers were injured.
Federal-State Clash Over National Guard Deployment
Governor Newsom called the deployment “a serious breach of state sovereignty” and said the Trump administration’s decision “risks seriously escalating the situation.” Mayor Karen Bass condemned the move as a “chaotic escalation,” saying, “The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real… This is the last thing our city needs.”
President Trump, however, defended the decision. “A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,” he posted. He claimed Democratic leaders had failed to act and warned, “We’re going to have troops everywhere.”
Senator Alex Padilla said the deployment served to distract from “a devastating bill” moving through Congress. “Trump doesn’t want people talking about that, so he goes back to demonizing immigrants,” Padilla said, urging peaceful protest and calling for the National Guard’s withdrawal.
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis accused the federal government of using military force as political theater: “There’s no reason to send in the National Guard other than to show a flex of strength.”
Legal Ramifications and Continued Raids
Governor Newsom’s lawsuit had not yet been filed as of Monday, but his office confirmed legal action is underway. The Title 10 order allows the troops to remain for up to 60 days, at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense.
Meanwhile, federal immigration enforcement continues. ICE confirmed the arrest of 121 individuals, including 44 in a single operation at a job site in Los Angeles. Additional arrests were reported at a downtown garment warehouse, a San Diego restaurant, and an underground nightclub in LA.
Officials from ICE defended the operations, citing arrests of individuals including a “domestic abuser” and a “child rapist.” However, local leaders and immigrant advocates questioned the targets and accused the administration of tearing apart families and provoking unrest.
Know Your Rights Amid Enforcement Crackdown
In response to the raids, immigrant advocacy groups are distributing resources on how to interact with federal agents:
- At home: You are not required to open the door unless agents present a valid warrant signed by a judge.
- In public or vehicles: You have the right to remain silent and refuse consent to a search.
- If detained: You have the right to contact an attorney and request consular support.
Groups recommend using a “Red Card” (available from the Immigration Legal Resource Center) to assert constitutional rights without confrontation. Employers are also urged to prepare workplace response plans and designate authorized personnel to handle ICE inquiries.
