National Guard troops, mobilized by order of President Donald Trump, joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during immigration raids in Los Angeles on Tuesday, sparking legal and political backlash from California state officials who denounced the deployment as unlawful and incendiary.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed on Tuesday evening that National Guard personnel were actively assisting ICE in their operations. The involvement of armed military forces in immigration enforcement marks a dramatic escalation, reminiscent of past controversies over the militarization of federal law enforcement.
The Trump administration’s decision to dispatch nearly 5,000 troops including both National Guard members and U.S. Marines to the Los Angeles area was initially framed as a response to ongoing protests. However, their participation in direct immigration enforcement activities has drawn sharp criticism and legal action from California leadership.
“This deployment is not only provocative – it’s unlawful,” said a statement from the California Governor’s office. “Federal troops have no place conducting civilian law enforcement in our communities.”
On Tuesday evening, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to confirm military involvement, posting an image on social media showing uniformed personnel armed with rifles alongside ICE officers. “This We’ll Defend,” the caption read, echoing the Army’s official motto.
ICE also released images of immigration raids, where individuals were seen being detained with National Guard troops standing nearby, clearly identifiable by military insignias on their uniforms.
California state officials quickly moved to challenge the federal deployment in court. In an emergency filing, the state demanded a restraining order that would prohibit military personnel from accompanying ICE agents or participating in law enforcement activities, including the operation of checkpoints.
U.S. District Judge Charles S. Breyer scheduled a hearing for Thursday afternoon to consider the state’s request. However, he declined to issue an immediate emergency order by Tuesday’s deadline.
Legal scholars and civil rights advocates have raised alarms over the potential violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the federal government’s use of military personnel in domestic law enforcement.
As tensions mount, the legal battle is expected to continue in the coming days, with both sides digging in over the constitutional limits of military involvement in civilian policing. Meanwhile, immigrant communities in Los Angeles remain on high alert as the raids continue.
