A coalition of Los Angeles-area mayors and city council members issued a strong plea to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, demanding an end to aggressive immigration raids in the region that have involved armed military troops and sparked massive protests and legal action.

The mayors, speaking at a joint press conference, urged the Trump administration to immediately cease using National Guard troops to assist immigration agents during raids. The federal crackdown has led to widespread unrest across the Los Angeles metropolitan area, with some officials and residents calling it militarised law enforcement.

“We are expecting a ramp-up,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, who confirmed that 500 National Guard troops assigned to Los Angeles had received special training to support immigration operations. Some of these troops, he noted, have already participated in such missions.

Vice Mayor of Paramount, Brenda Olmos, emotionally recounted being hit by rubber bullets during a weekend protest, pleading directly to the president: “Stop terrorising our residents.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticised the raids as unnecessary and politically motivated, warning that a nightly curfew imposed across a 1-square-mile zone of downtown LA would continue as long as federal agents and troops marched through local streets.

“These raids spread fear at the behest of the White House,” Bass said. “If the soldiers continue marching, so will the curfew.”

The raids have targeted asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and undocumented migrants awaiting court hearings. The Trump administration has justified the military support by citing public safety concerns arising from protests triggered by the arrests.

California Governor Gavin Newsom filed an emergency petition in federal court to stop the military from aiding immigration agents, arguing that it violated constitutional norms and escalated tensions in America’s second-largest city.

A judge has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, while the Trump administration called the lawsuit a crass political stunt that endangers American lives.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the city “would be burning to the ground” if he had not deployed National Guard forces.

According to Sherman, the military presence is set to increase, with 2,000 more Guard troops and 700 Marines expected to join the 2,000 already deployed in LA.

Sherman initially said Guard members had temporarily detained civilians during immigration protests, but later retracted, explaining he had mistaken photos and video not linked to LA operations.

During the first night of the curfew, more than 20 people were detained, primarily for violating curfew orders. Police used crowd-control projectiles to disperse hundreds of demonstrators.

Los Angeles police have made nearly 400 arrests since Saturday, most for failure to disperse. A few people faced serious charges, such as assaulting police, possessing Molotov cocktails, and illegal weapons. Nine police officers suffered injuries, mostly minor.

Despite the tension, morning scenes in LA painted a calmer picture, with residents walking dogs and officegoers lining up for coffee in downtown streets.

But protests have spread to other cities, including Chicago, New York, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, signalling nationwide opposition to the militarised immigration crackdown.

In New York, police arrested 86 people during overnight protests in lower Manhattan. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that most demonstrators were peaceful.

In Chicago, a 66-year-old woman was hit by a car during Tuesday’s downtown protest. The car sped through a crowd, as seen in footage captured by media.

In Austin, Texas, law enforcement used chemical irritants to control protesters on Monday. The Texas National Guard has been placed on standby, and some troops have already been deployed to San Antonio. However, Police Chief William McManus stated he was not informed about the size or role of the military contingent.

The wave of demonstrations began Friday, after federal immigration agents raided several workplaces in LA, arresting dozens of undocumented workers.

The arrests triggered massive protests, including highway blockades and cars set on fire. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds.

Thousands have since held peaceful rallies outside LA City Hall, while hundreds more protested outside a federal detention complex housing the arrested migrants.

The increased use of military personnel in immigration enforcement represents a major policy escalation and has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, civil rights organisations, and elected officials.

Critics argue the Trump administration is using fear and force to suppress immigrant communities, undermine local governance, and blur the lines between military and civilian law enforcement.

As the court battle plays out and more troops arrive, Los Angeles and other cities brace for continued unrest, uncertain how long the situation will persist or what the next federal move might be.

The outcome of these actions will likely shape national debates around immigration, civil liberties, and the role of the military in domestic affairs for months to come.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Mayasheel Ventures, Eppeltone Engineers, Aten Papers, Patil Automation, Oswal Pumps, Samay Projects Services.

The Current active IPO are Jainik Power Cables, Monolithisch India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.