Los Angeles Protests Spread After ICE Raids Amid National Guard Deployment

In June 2025, immigration raids by ICE in Los Angeles sparked widespread protests across the city, leading President Donald Trump to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops and later 500 Marines, actions taken without California Governor Gavin Newsom's consent and sparking a conflict over state versus federal authority. Protesters, many waving Mexican and other Latin American flags as symbols of cultural pride and resistance, clashed with law enforcement amid rising tensions, with some blocking highways and setting vehicles on fire. The raids deeply affected immigrant workers, such as those at Ambiance Apparel, where many fled or were detained, provoking emotional responses from families and communities. The crisis drew sharp criticism from Democratic leaders and international figures like Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who condemned the treatment of detainees. Los Angeles, with its large undocumented population and strong immigrant rights movement, has become a focal point of resistance against Trump's immigration policies, highlighting the personal stakes for many residents. While protests have calmed in Los Angeles, they have spread to other US cities, reflecting broader national unrest over immigration enforcement.