This weekend marked a startling escalation in the ongoing clash between federal immigration enforcement and local governance. In a move drawing both legal and political scrutiny, President Trump ordered the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles following days of protest and unrest sparked by intensified federal immigration operations in the region.

The initial wave of deployment came early Sunday, with members of California's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team landing on the ground in Los Angeles. According to U.S. Northern Command, the deployment was executed under Title 10 authority, placing the National Guard troops under federal command—a significant distinction from state-controlled guard operations.

This decision—made over the explicit objections of California Governor Gavin Newsom—signals a rare and controversial invocation of the Insurrection Act, a federal law that empowers the president to deploy U.S. military forces domestically under the pretense of restoring law and order. Governor Newsom has decried the move, calling it “deranged behavior,” particularly in light of reports that active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert and may be mobilized to reinforce the Guard if unrest continues.

Saturday's protests in Paramount, a city roughly 16 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, reflect growing public frustration with aggressive immigration enforcement strategies. While federal authorities have framed the operations as necessary for national security, critics argue the tactics are provocative, inhumane, and politically motivated.

The use of federal troops to respond to immigration-related unrest raises profound constitutional and legal questions. It blurs the line between civilian law enforcement and military intervention—an area traditionally governed by the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of the U.S. military in domestic policing roles.

At Saluja Law, we remain committed to protecting the rights of immigrants and upholding constitutional checks on executive authority. We encourage community members to stay informed, to document any overreach or civil rights violations, and to consult legal counsel if they or their families are affected by these developments.

This is a moment that calls for vigilance, lawful resistance, and above all, a recommitment to the principles of justice and due process that define our legal system.

— Saluja Law
Protecting Rights. Defending Liberty.