What began as sweeping raids in and around Los Angeles last week has become a national flashpoint over immigration, and presidential and state authority.
Los Angelenos responded to the ramped-up federal immigration enforcement by seeking to protect their families and neighbors, and protest the raids. To tamp down the largely peaceful dissent — and without state leaders’ consent — Trump deployed thousands of California’s National Guardsmen to the city. Hundreds of Marines were also activated to join them on the streets. In all, at least 330 immigrants have been detained since June 6 by federal authorities in Southern California.
PBS News special correspondent Marcia Biggs spoke with residents of Downey, where at least three immigration raids took place in one day this week, on how the crackdown has shaken the community.
“Everybody is in shock,” said one reverend who captured video of an arrest that occurred in her church’s parking lot. “We never could have imagined that this would come literally to our doorsteps.”
Contrary to the disinformation and misinformation circulating online about the protests, Los Angeles isn’t on fire. Meanwhile, anti-ICE demonstrations have cropped up in other U.S. cities, objecting to Trump’s actions. By one count, more than 350 people have been arrested in the nationwide protests.
California has sued the administration, saying it’s overstepped its authority. A judge agreed Thursday, ordering Trump to return control of the National Guard to the governor. Hours later, a separate court blocked that order — leaving things at a standstill until next week.
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