Donald Trump has escalated his crackdown on immigration with measures that not only target undocumented communities but also defy institutional boundaries. The unilateral deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles—without state approval—and public threats to arrest Democratic leaders expose a sharp authoritarian turn in Trump’s immigration policy. Meanwhile, Mexico and international organizations condemn the criminalization of migration and demand respect for human rights.

RELATED:

Trump Deploys Troops to LA Amid Anti-ICE Protests

The Trump administration ordered the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles to “restore order” amid protests against ICE raids, bypassing California Governor Gavin Newsom, who denounced the move as an attempt to “sow chaos.” Since the raids began, over 150 undocumented immigrants have been detained.

These operations are backed by so-called “border czar” Tom Homan, who publicly threatened on Sunday to arrest Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if they “overstep their authority.”

“If the governor or mayor overstep, they could face arrest,” Homan told NBC News. “Harboring or knowingly hiding an illegal immigrant is a felony. Preventing law enforcement from doing their job is a felony.”

Despite the fact that the National Guard had not yet been deployed, Trump prematurely praised their efforts on his Truth Social account, stating, “The incompetent Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have been very slow and allowed disaster.” Official confirmation of the deployment came hours later.

Local officials swiftly condemned the federal escalation. Newsom accused the government of provoking unnecessary chaos: “The federal government is manufacturing disorder to justify escalating its response. This is not how a civilized nation behaves.”

Mayor Bass called the military mobilization “unnecessary,” noting that “the situation is peaceful in most of the city.” She added that Saturday’s protests involved fewer than 100 people and were dispersed by local police before the troops arrived.

California Senator Adam Schiff echoed concerns about federal overreach, stating, “If the Guard is needed to calm things down, the governor will request it”—highlighting how Trump bypassed democratic protocols. Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the administration’s authoritarian drift: “He conducts illegal raids, provokes a reaction, declares a state of emergency, and mobilizes troops. It is unacceptable.”

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum also spoke out against the rising repression in U.S. territory: “Raids and violence do not address the migration phenomenon,” she said directly responding to Trump’s actions.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry confirmed that consulates are providing legal assistance and support to detained nationals, coordinating with human rights organizations and migrant aid networks.

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University highlighted that this marks the first time since 1965 that a U.S. president has deployed federal troops without a state governor’s consent. While the Trump administration claims the deployment is necessary to restore order, historical precedent tells a different story.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson sent federal troops to Alabama not to suppress dissent, but to protect civil rights demonstrators marching for racial justice—after state authorities failed to guarantee their safety. In stark contrast, Trump’s unilateral use of military force targets those opposing government overreach, bypasses state consent, and deepens fears of authoritarian escalation under the guise of immigration control.

“This is unprecedented and a clear abuse of the law,” said Elizabeth Goitein, co-director of the center’s National Security Program.

In April 2025, the UN Committee on Migrant Workers (CMT) issued a report warning about the growing militarization of migration control, expressing concern over the deployment of armed forces to manage migration and noting that such practices pose serious rights violations for migrants

Trump’s tightening grip on immigration enforcement reveals not only an offensive against immigrant communities but also a governance model that dismantles institutional checks and federalist boundaries. Unauthorized militarization, threats to arrest elected officials, and the criminalization of dissent signal a troubling democratic backslide in the United States.

As federal authority overrides local governance and dissent is met with military force, the battle for civil liberties and migrant rights in the U.S. reaches a critical crossroads—demanding vigilant international oversight and sustained grassroots resistance.

IN THIS ARTICLE