Demonstrations against US immigration enforcement have entered their third day in the Los Angeles area, with escalating violence and thousands of protesters clashing with security forces near a federal detention centre in downtown LA.
Federal law enforcement faced off with a smaller group of demonstrators on Sunday outside a federal building. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an unlawful assembly in the area and used tear gas, batons, and other less-lethal weapons to disperse the aggressive crowd. According to the LAPD, some protesters hurled bottles, pieces of concrete, and other dangerous objects at officers, resulting in several arrests.
The unrest was sparked by widespread US immigration raids that began late Friday and expanded across the region. Protesters, angered by the enforcement actions, gathered outside federal buildings and detention centres, with additional flare-ups in Compton and Paramount. In those areas, crowds mobilised near local businesses, including a Home Depot, amid ongoing immigration operations.
Hit a cop, you’re going to jail… doesn’t matter where you came from, how you got here, or what movement speaks to you. If the local police force won’t back our men and women on the thin blue line, we @FBI will.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 8, 2025
As tensions rose, riot police responded with tear gas and flash-bang grenades to control the situation. The LAPD, while assisting in crowd control and securing civic buildings, reaffirmed that it does not cooperate with federal agents on civil immigration enforcement and maintains a policy of not stopping individuals solely to verify immigration status.
In response to the growing violence and threats to federal personnel and property, the White House announced that President Donald Trump has directed US Northern Command to take control of the National Guard. A total of 2,000 soldiers have been ordered to deploy to the Los Angeles area for 60 days or until further notice. Already, 300 soldiers from the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have been stationed at three key locations to protect federal sites.
God bless the brave men and women of local and federal law enforcement and the National Guard working to restore LAW AND ORDER to Los Angeles.
WE STAND WITH YOU—AND THE CHAOS ENDS NOW. 🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 8, 2025
US Northern Command confirmed on X that the troops are focusing on ensuring the safety and security of federal facilities and staff. LAPD officials also reported active coordination with National Guard forces on the ground.
President Trump issued a strong message on Truth Social, vowing to “liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion.” Condemning what he described as “violent, insurrectionist mobs,” the president promised decisive action against those obstructing lawful deportation operations.
“A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals,” Trump declared. “Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations, But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve.”
We are not stopping or slowing down.
We are not intimidated or apprehensive.
Illegal immigration operations will continue, and anyone using violence to obstruct or impede these operations will be investigated and prosecuted.Multiple arrests have already been made, in both LA…
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) June 8, 2025
Trump further stated that he has directed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi to coordinate with all relevant departments to bring an end to the unrest and ensure the removal of illegal immigrants threatening national security. “The Illegals will be expelled,” Trump affirmed. “Los Angeles will be set free.”
