Homeland Security Secretary Pledges to Continue Immigration Enforcement Amid Protests
LOS ANGELES — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has reaffirmed her commitment to uphold the immigration policies established during the Trump administration, even as protests erupt across the nation.
Shortly after her remarks on Thursday, a federal judge requested the president to hand control back to California over the National Guard troops deployed during recent unrest. However, an appeals court intervened, temporarily blocking this order just before it was set to take effect. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the matter.
The federal judge’s temporary restraining order indicated that the National Guard’s deployment was illegal, violating the Tenth Amendment and exceeding President Trump’s authority. This ruling, however, only pertained to the National Guard troops and not the Marines also present at the protests.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who requested the judge’s emergency order to halt military assistance in immigration raids, celebrated the ruling until the appeals court reversed it. He noted, "Today was really about a test of democracy, and we passed the test," indicating plans to return soldiers to their previous assignments before federal intervention.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s actions, stating that the judge’s ruling posed risks to brave federal agents. "The district court has no authority to usurp the President’s authority as Commander in Chief," she said.
As protests continued in cities nationwide, fears escalated over potential large-scale demonstrations against Trump in the coming weekend.
DHS Secretary Declares Raids Will Proceed
Noem announced that the immigration raids in Los Angeles will continue, emphasizing that federal agents have numerous targets to pursue. "This is only going to continue until we have peace on the streets of Los Angeles,” she stated during a news conference, disrupted by protests from a California senator.
Newsom expressed concerns that the military’s involvement was part of a broader effort by Trump to challenge democratic norms. He warned that deploying National Guard troops only heightened tensions within Los Angeles.
The protests have largely concentrated in downtown areas near government facilities, with much of the city remaining unaffected. Looser restrictions allowed for mostly peaceful demonstrations, despite some arrests due to curfew violations.
Blueprint for Future Operations
Noem indicated that the actions taken in Los Angeles would serve as a model for future enforcement efforts. She assured that federal authorities would remain active in the area, particularly toward individuals with criminal backgrounds residing illegally in the country.
Critics have denounced the heavy-handed approach to immigration enforcement, highlighting concerns for affected communities. Meanwhile, recorded protests across the U.S. have resulted in clashes with police, leading to hundreds of arrests.
Military Involvement on the Rise
The administration signaled a readiness to deploy troops to other regions needing immigration enforcement and disturbance control. Currently, around 2,000 National Guard soldiers are stationed in Los Angeles, with an additional 2,000 and about 700 Marines expected to join soon.
Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman stated that some Guard troops are specifically trained for immigration operations, holding the authority to temporarily detain individuals who assault officers.
States Weigh Military Deployment
As protests are anticipated to grow, particularly over the weekend, governors are carefully considering their responses. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has prepared 5,000 National Guard members for possible deployment in cities expecting unrest, while other governors in Republican-controlled states have yet to announce their strategies.
A coalition of Democratic governors recently condemned the use of military deployments, labeling it an alarming exercise of power.
Arrests in Los Angeles Escalate
Since the weekend, law enforcement has arrested approximately 470 individuals, primarily for failing to disperse when ordered. More serious charges, including assaults on officers and possession of dangerous items, have also been noted, with reports of minor injuries among law enforcement.
The ongoing unfolding situation in Los Angeles and across the country continues to be closely monitored as communities seek resolution while grappling with federal enforcement measures.
