Los Angeles police carried out mass arrests overnight as a strict curfew took effect in the city’s downtown, following days of escalating protests against President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement policies. The unrest, sparked by a wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, drew thousands of demonstrators and prompted Trump to deploy hundreds of active-duty Marines and thousands of National Guard troops to the city a move that has ignited fierce legal and political backlash from California officials and civil rights groups.
The LAPD announced “numerous arrests” late Tuesday, detaining protesters who refused to disperse after the curfew began. Police described the situation as “large-scale arrests underway,” with nearly 200 people taken into custody for violating the emergency order, which covers a one-square-mile area of downtown Los Angeles. While most demonstrators had left the area before the curfew, officers methodically cleared the remaining groups, using zip ties to restrain those who stayed behind. The curfew, declared by Mayor Karen Bass, is set to remain in effect until 6 a.m., affecting a small fraction of the city’s population but targeting the heart of the protest activity.
The protests, which began peacefully, have at times turned chaotic, with sporadic incidents of vandalism, looting, and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. Police reported that 23 businesses were looted on Monday night alone, and more than 500 arrests have been made since the demonstrations began. In response, Trump ordered the deployment of 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, insisting the military presence was necessary to protect federal property and ICE agents, despite objections from local leaders who say the situation is being inflamed by federal intervention.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has filed an emergency lawsuit to block the use of military forces in immigration enforcement, arguing that the deployment is illegal and only heightens tensions. The Pentagon estimates the cost of the operation at $134 million, while critics accuse the Trump administration of manufacturing a crisis and abusing federal power for political gain.
As protests continue to ripple across other major U.S. cities, Los Angeles remains under heavy security, with helicopters circling overhead and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies maintaining a visible presence in the streets. The city’s leadership and civil rights advocates warn that the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further unrest as the standoff over immigration policy and federal intervention intensifies.