Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared an overnight curfew in the downtown area and proclaimed a local emergency on Tuesday after several nights of civil unrest and vandalism triggered by immigration enforcement raids. The demonstrations, which initially focused on LA, have now expanded to other major U.S. cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Austin.

I have issued a local emergency and a curfew in downtown Los Angeles to end the vandalism, to end the looting,” Bass said to reporters. She said the curfew would likely last for a few days, Reuters reported.

Protests Broaden Nationally During ICE Raids

Demonstrators in several cities marched with anti-ICE signs, shut down streets outside federal buildings, and chanted against immigration policy. While most protests were peaceful, some became violent, with arrests and the use of chemical agents by authorities.

Large cities like New York, San Francisco, and Santa Ana registered protests where protesters clashed with law enforcement after local ICE raids. At various points, tensions escalated between marchers and police, further intensifying the unrest.

Activists have called for nationwide protests this Saturday, branding them “No Kings” protests to coincide with President Trump’s scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C.

National Guard Increases Presence in Los Angeles

On Tuesday, the National Guard’s role was greatly expanded. Originally assigned to protect federal buildings, the troops started helping immigration agents during the arrest in Los Angeles.

Photos made public by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) depicted National Guard members openly accompanying ICE officers while conducting enforcement activities.

ICE released a statement explaining the Guard’s mission, stating troops are “providing security at federal facilities and protecting federal officers who are out on daily enforcement operations.” The agency explained that while Guard troops can temporarily detain individuals who attack officers, law enforcement officers are still charged with making the actual arrests.

ICE also reported that the Guard is assisting with logistics, including transporting detained individuals, thereby moving closer to actual law enforcement activities.

Marines Deploy in LA as Tensions Escalate

Thousands of U.S. Marines rolled into the Los Angeles region on Tuesday under Trump’s order. Their arrival provoked fresh protests and concern among Democratic leaders.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also strongly denounced Trump’s actions, stating the president is “pulling a military dragnet” through Los Angeles. “Dishwashers, gardeners, day labourers and seamstresses” are some of the people being detained, he stated in a public address, contending that the immigration crackdown is rounding up many more than just criminals.

Newsom Takes Legal Action Against Federal Troop Use

California Governor Newsom requested a halt by the federal court on Tuesday to prevent the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops and Marines in immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. He threatened that such a military deployment could escalate civil disturbance.

Newsom’s court challenge came after Trump’s executive order to deploy up to almost 5,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines. The federal government retaliated by calling Newsom’s motion “an unprecedented and dangerous order” that could upset existing immigration enforcement.

The federal court hearing on Thursday will consider the emergency filing.

Democratic Lawmakers Decry Militarization

Democratic lawmakers voiced increasing alarm at what they perceive as the militarization of domestic law enforcement. California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla released a statement stating, “Active-duty military personnel should only be mobilised domestically during the most extreme circumstances, and these are not them.”

The deployment of Marines and National Guard soldiers has stoked anxiety over growing authoritarianism among Democratic leaders and civil rights organizations.

Federal Justification and Role of the Military

The Trump administration has justified the deployment, claiming that the deteriorating situation in Los Angeles warrants federal action. The Marines deployed in LA are setting up security posts, protecting federal property, and training rapid-response teams to deal with emergencies during protests, U.S. Northern Command said.

Officials added that the Marines also will assist the National Guard in the larger demonstrations anticipated in the days ahead.

As turmoil persists to engulf Los Angeles and spreads across the country, the struggle between state and federal officials is becoming increasingly public. With additional protests planned and court fights heating up, the political and social ramifications of this crisis are only going to get more intense.