Immigration protests intensify, causing chaos in Los Angeles: A photo story

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Anger in the United States over a wave of arrests by immigration officials sparked days of protests in Los Angeles.

Demonstrations erupted on the Californian city’s streets on Saturday AEST after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out raids in the city, arresting at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.

Law enforcement responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters.

US President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 members of the state-based military reserve, the national guard, despite California governor Gavin Newsom’s objections.

A group of protesters demonstrating, some holding signs.

Protests have continued for days in Los Angeles after erupting on the weekend. Source: AAP / EPA / Allison Dinner

Thousands of national guard members have massed in Los Angeles since, with the homeland security department saying the troops’ mission was to protect federal buildings.

Demonstrations have continued each day since, as tensions continue to escalate amid the biggest flashpoint over the Trump administration’s aggressive attempts to deport migrants it says are living in the country illegally.

A group of protesters standing across from uniformed law enforcement.

ICE officers and national guard confront protesters outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. Source: Getty / Anadolu

Protesters standing on the roof of a car that has been destroyed, with a cloud of smoke in the distance.

Protesters stand atop a vandalised Waymo self-driving car. The company has temporarily suspended its services after several of the vehicles were set alight. Source: Getty / Mario Tama

Law enforcement guard detention facility

On Monday, law enforcement officers stood at intersections surrounding the Edward R Roybal Federal Building, which houses the detention facility where many detained immigrants were sent after ICE actions in Los Angeles neighbourhoods.

Some national guard troops stood at the vehicle entrance to the detention centre. Anti-ICE graffiti covered the walls and windows of the federal building, and teams worked to cover the slogans with paint.

Uniformed national guard troops standing in front of a building, with green vehicles parked behind them.

National guard troops stand outside the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. Source: Getty / Spencer Platt

Police clashing with a group of protesters on a street.

A police officer grabs a protester in downtown Los Angeles. Source: AAP / Sipa USA / Caylo Seals

A person in a green and blue shirt colliding with a horse being ridden by a police officer.

Los Angeles Police Department officers on horseback were deployed. Source: Getty / Spencer Platt

Vehicles torched

There have been more than 50 arrests over two days, and five officers suffered minor injuries, Los Angeles Police Department officials said.

Several Waymo self-driving taxis were torched during the demonstrations, leading to the autonomous ride-hailing platform temporarily suspending its services.

Several self-driving Waymo taxis have been vandalised and set on fire during the protests. Source: AAP / Sipa USA / Jacob Green

A vehicle on fire in the middle of the road, with police cars and officers standing in the distance, along with a donut shop.

There have been more than 50 arrests over two days, and five officers suffered minor injuries, the police said. Source: Getty / Los Angeles Times / Carlin Stiehl

Despite isolated and eye-catching acts of violence, officials and local law enforcement stressed the majority of protesters over the weekend had been peaceful.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass told CNN that in contrast to Trump’s rhetoric: “This is isolated to a few streets. This is not citywide civil unrest.”

A large group of protesters, some holding up a big orange banner that reads "Trump must go now".

Protesters denounce US President Donald Trump in downtown Los Angeles. Source: AAP / AP / Jae Hong

A single protester holding an American flag stands in the way of a large group of police officers.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass said the majority of protesters had been peaceful. Source: Getty / Mario Tama

The US military will temporarily deploy about 700 marines to Los Angeles until more national guard troops arrive.

California sued the Trump administration to block deployment of the national guard and the marines on Monday, arguing it violates federal law and state sovereignty.

US marines have been deployed domestically for major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the September 11 attacks in 2001, but it is extremely rare for US military troops to be used for domestic policing.

Newsom called the move “deranged”.

“US marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy,” Newsom posted on X.

“They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President. This is un-American.”