Downtown Los Angeles remains tense after days of protests against intensified immigration raids, with mass arrests, a citywide curfew, and a heated standoff between federal and state authorities.
Hundreds of people were arrested in Los Angeles on Tuesday night as demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration raids continued for a fifth consecutive day. The Los Angeles Police Department said it initiated “mass arrests” after groups of protesters defied a city-imposed curfew.
Mayor Karen Bass had earlier declared a curfew for a one-square-mile section of the downtown area, citing increasing violence and looting. “When peaceful protesters leave, opportunists step in to destroy and pillage,” she said. At least 23 businesses were looted on Monday night, prompting the order. The curfew is expected to last several nights.
Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement have escalated over the past few days, with widespread vandalism, looting, and scuffles reported. Footage from Tuesday night showed protesters chanting “peaceful protest” with hands raised, even as police in riot gear and sniper teams enforced the curfew.
The unrest in Los Angeles began in response to a sweeping crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which Homeland Security says has detained over 2,000 immigration violators per day in recent weeks. Demonstrators have waved Mexican and other foreign flags in solidarity with undocumented migrants targeted by the raids.
Protests have since spread across the country, with major demonstrations erupting in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Omaha, and Seattle. Thousands gathered at Foley Square in New York to condemn the raids and demand the abolition of ICE.
Amid growing tensions, Trump ordered the deployment of nearly 5,000 federal troops—including Marines and National Guard personnel—to Los Angeles. About 2,100 National Guard members and 700 Marines had arrived in the area by Tuesday, with more expected.
The military deployment has provoked a sharp backlash from California officials. Governor Gavin Newsom, in a televised address, accused the federal government of “pulling a military dragnet across Los Angeles” and warned that “democracy is under assault before our eyes.” The state has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the troop deployments, which Newsom called “an illegal waste of resources.”
Trump, speaking at Fort Bragg earlier in the day, doubled down on his decision. He described Los Angeles as “a trash heap” and vowed to “liberate” the city from “third-world lawlessness.” He also claimed the protests were fuelled by foreign flags and outside agitators—comments that drew further criticism. Although Trump later denied accusing Newsom and Mayor Bass of paying protest agitators, video footage from his speech appeared to show him making that exact allegation.
At the heart of the legal battle is the question of whether federal troops can operate in civilian spaces. Though the Marines and Guard troops are officially restricted to guarding federal property and personnel, critics warn this could amount to indirect participation in immigration enforcement.
A federal judge on Tuesday declined California’s urgent request for a temporary restraining order to limit the role of the troops. A full hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
In the streets of downtown Los Angeles, the situation remains volatile. Skirmishes continue outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre, where many detained migrants are held. Protesters have been met with police using crowd-control tactics and less-lethal munitions.
As the political war of words between Trump and California leaders escalates, the city remains on edge—bracing for more protests, more arrests, and the uncertain consequences of a military presence in its streets.
