Key Takeaways
• On July 7, 2025, 90 California National Guard troops supported federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
• Over 1,600 arrests occurred in June 2025 targeting deportation-ordered and public safety threat individuals.
• Military use in immigration enforcement is authorized under Title 10 and expanded 287(g) agreements.
On July 7, 2025, federal immigration agents and US troops carried out a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in MacArthur Park, Los Angeles. This marked the first time in recent years that armed military personnel were deployed on the ground in Los Angeles to support immigration enforcement. The Department of Defense confirmed that 90 California National Guard troops, along with armored vehicles and military equipment, were sent to secure the area and protect federal agents. This move signals a major shift in how the United States 🇺🇸 approaches immigration enforcement, especially in cities with large immigrant populations.
What Happened in Los Angeles?
The operation began early in the morning, with federal agents and US troops arriving at MacArthur Park. The troops set up a security perimeter using 17 Humvees, 4 military cargo trucks, and 2 ambulances. Their main job was to keep federal agents safe and control access to the area. The operation was led by U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Greg Bovino, who oversaw the enforcement actions on the ground.
During the operation, the park was partially blocked off. A summer day camp was forced to close, and families were told to leave the area. Agents on horseback and armored vehicles were visible throughout the park. The show of force was meant to deter protests and keep order, but it also caused fear and confusion among local residents.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this operation is part of a larger campaign that has resulted in over 1,600 arrests in Los Angeles between June 6 and June 22, 2025. The targets of these actions have not been made public, but officials say they are focusing on people with outstanding deportation orders and those considered threats to public safety.
Why Are US Troops Involved in Immigration Enforcement?
The use of US troops in Los Angeles for immigration enforcement is based on several recent policy changes. Earlier in the summer, President Trump ordered about 4,700 troops to California under a law called Title 10. This law allows the federal government to use military forces to protect federal property and personnel. The White House issued a memorandum on June 7, 2025, giving the Department of Defense permission to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with security, especially after recent violent protests at immigration facilities.
The Department of Justice also issued a directive in January 2025, telling all federal law enforcement agencies to make immigration enforcement a top priority. This includes allowing agencies like the U.S. Marshals and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to help with civil immigration cases, which is not usually their main job.
Another important policy is the expansion of 287(g) agreements. These agreements let state and local law enforcement, including National Guard units, help enforce federal immigration law if the governor agrees. This has been especially important in so-called “sanctuary” cities like Los Angeles, where local officials have often resisted federal immigration efforts.
How Did the Operation Affect the Community?
The presence of US troops and federal agents in Los Angeles caused immediate concern among local residents, especially immigrants and their families. Many people living near MacArthur Park reported feeling scared and unsure about their safety. The operation disrupted daily life, forcing the closure of a summer camp and blocking off parts of the park that are usually open to the public.
Local activists and immigrant rights groups quickly responded. They sent legal observers to the scene and organized protests. Some protesters clashed with law enforcement, especially when agents used irritants to break up crowds. Legal groups have already filed lawsuits against federal officials, claiming that the raids violated constitutional rights and unfairly targeted certain racial or ethnic groups. A federal court hearing on these lawsuits is scheduled for later this week.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass visited the park during the operation and expressed concern about the impact on the community. She said, “Our city values all its residents, and we are working to make sure everyone feels safe and respected.” The mayor’s office is also working with local legal aid groups to provide support for families affected by the raids.
What Are the Legal and Policy Issues?
The use of US troops in immigration enforcement raises several legal and policy questions. Normally, the Posse Comitatus Act prevents the military from being involved in civilian law enforcement. However, the Pentagon has created special areas called National Defense Areas (NDAs) along the southern border and now in some cities. In these areas, military personnel can detain people for trespassing on military property before handing them over to law enforcement. This is seen as a way to get around the usual legal limits on military involvement.
The administration has also expanded the use of expedited removals. This means that some people can be deported quickly, often without a court hearing or enough time to find a lawyer. Legal experts and advocates worry that this process does not give people a fair chance to explain their situation or fight their deportation.
The Department of Justice’s directive from January 2025 also allows federal agencies to prosecute local officials who refuse to help with immigration enforcement. This has increased tensions between the federal government and local governments, especially in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Operation
To help readers understand how these operations work, here is a step-by-step outline based on what happened in Los Angeles:
- Planning and Coordination: Federal agencies, including DHS and ICE, work with the National Guard and local law enforcement to plan the operation.
- Deployment: Troops and agents gather at staging areas near the target location, such as MacArthur Park.
- Perimeter Establishment: Military personnel set up a security perimeter using vehicles and equipment to control who can enter or leave the area.
- Enforcement Action: Immigration agents move into the area, detain individuals, and process them for possible deportation or prosecution.
- Transfer of Detainees: If the military detains someone they believe is a threat, they hold them briefly before handing them over to law enforcement.
- Community Management: Local officials, activists, and legal observers respond, sometimes organizing protests or providing legal help.
- Post-Operation: Federal agencies usually do not comment on ongoing operations, but legal challenges and community responses often follow.
Broader Policy Shifts and National Trends
The Los Angeles operation is not an isolated event. It is part of a broader shift in federal immigration policy that began in 2024 and has continued into 2025. The administration has moved resources to DHS to support mass deportations and rapid removals. This often means that people are deported quickly, sometimes without a court hearing or enough time to find a lawyer.
The Pentagon has also set up new National Defense Areas along the southern border. In these areas, military personnel can detain migrants for trespassing before turning them over to law enforcement. These changes are designed to speed up deportations and make it harder for people to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 if they are found to be in the country without permission.
The use of 287(g) agreements has also grown. These agreements let local law enforcement help with federal immigration enforcement, even in places where local leaders have tried to limit cooperation with ICE. This has led to more arrests and deportations in cities like Los Angeles.
Impact on Immigrants and Local Communities
For immigrants living in Los Angeles, the increased presence of US troops and federal agents means a higher risk of arrest and deportation. Many people are afraid to go to work, take their children to school, or even leave their homes. Community organizations report that calls to legal aid hotlines have increased, with people asking what to do if they or a family member are detained.
Some families have already been separated by the raids, with parents detained while their children are left behind. Legal aid groups are working to help these families, but the fast pace of the operations makes it hard to keep up.
Local governments, especially in sanctuary cities, are facing new challenges. Federal officials have threatened to prosecute local leaders who refuse to help with immigration enforcement. This has created tension between city officials and the federal government, with some local leaders promising to fight these actions in court.
Civil liberties groups warn that the use of military force in immigration enforcement blurs the line between military and civilian law enforcement. They argue that this could lead to violations of constitutional rights, including the right to due process and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Official Statements and Community Response
Federal agencies involved in the operation include DHS, ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Department of Defense. The DOD released a statement saying, “We will protect federal law enforcement and assist by establishing a security perimeter.” Officials say the goal is to keep federal agents safe and ensure that immigration laws are enforced.
Local activists and immigrant rights groups have organized protests and sent legal observers to monitor the raids. They have also filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the operations. One legal observer said, “We are here to make sure people’s rights are respected and to provide support for those who are detained.”
Mayor Karen Bass has called for calm and urged residents to know their rights. Her office is working with local legal aid organizations to provide information and support for families affected by the raids.
What Happens Next?
The Department of Homeland Security has asked for up to 20,000 more troops to help with border and interior enforcement. This suggests that similar operations could happen in other cities across the United States 🇺🇸 in the coming months.
Legal battles are expected to continue, with courts being asked to decide whether these operations are legal and whether they violate people’s rights. Advocates are also pushing for changes to the expedited removal process to make sure people have a fair chance to defend themselves.
The administration is likely to keep expanding the use of 287(g) agreements and military support for immigration enforcement. This means that the role of the military in immigration operations could grow even more in the future.
What Should Immigrants and Families Do?
If you or someone you know is affected by these operations, there are steps you can take:
- Know Your Rights: Everyone in the United States 🇺🇸 has certain rights, regardless of immigration status. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to a lawyer.
- Contact Legal Aid: Local organizations like Public Counsel in Los Angeles can provide free legal help.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from trusted sources, including local news and official government websites like DHS.gov.
- Prepare a Family Plan: Make sure your family knows what to do if someone is detained, including who to call and where to find important documents.
Official Resources
For more information about immigration enforcement and your rights, visit the Department of Homeland Security website. You can also find help from local legal aid groups and immigrant rights organizations.
Conclusion
The deployment of US troops in Los Angeles for immigration enforcement marks a major change in how the United States 🇺🇸 handles immigration policy. The operation has caused fear and disruption in local communities, sparked legal challenges, and raised important questions about civil liberties and the role of the military in civilian law enforcement. As the federal government continues to expand these efforts, immigrants, families, and local officials will need to stay informed and prepared for further changes.
Community organizations, legal aid groups, and local leaders are working hard to support those affected and to challenge actions they believe are unfair or unconstitutional. The coming months will likely see more operations, more legal battles, and ongoing debate about the best way to balance security, law enforcement, and the rights of all people living in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
National Guard → State-based military force that can be federalized to assist in national security or emergencies.
Title 10 → A legal framework authorizing the use of federal military forces to protect federal property and personnel.
287(g) agreements → Contracts allowing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws with gubernatorial consent.
Expedited removals → A process enabling swift deportation of individuals without full court hearings or legal representation.
Posse Comitatus Act → A law that limits the military’s role in domestic civilian law enforcement activities.
This Article in a Nutshell
On July 7, 2025, US troops joined federal agents in a major immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Their deployment marks a historic change, signaling increased military involvement amid legal challenges and community fear in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles.
— By VisaVerge.com
