Over 100 detainees had criminal records, says White House
What began as protests in Los Angeles against aggressive immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has rapidly expanded into a nationwide movement, with demonstrations reported in dozens of major American cities.
The protests started last week in L.A. after ICE conducted a series of raids across the city. Since then, according to The Independent, demonstrations have spread to at least 35 cities, intensifying this week in urban centers such as New York, Chicago, Austin, and Atlanta.
Organisers have condemned the raids as unconstitutional and dehumanising. Nationwide, more than 1,800 protests are anticipated over the coming weekend, signalling widespread opposition to the administration’s immigration policies.
In a controversial development, President Donald Trump has authorised the deployment of U.S. Marines to assist ICE—though the Pentagon clarified on Wednesday that military personnel will provide logistical and transport support only, not participate in arrests.
Critics have fiercely objected to the military’s involvement, accusing the Trump administration of politicising immigration enforcement and using the armed forces to rally his political base ahead of elections.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that 330 undocumented immigrants have been arrested in Los Angeles since June 6. Of these, 113 individuals had prior criminal convictions, she said, referring to them as “illegal aliens.” These figures have not been independently verified, and ICE has not yet issued a formal statement.
Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly criticised the federal response and military involvement. “We will not allow our streets to become battlegrounds,” he said. “President Trump is politicising the military and diverting resources from vital missions to advance his own political agenda.”
Amid growing unrest, President Trump attended the opening night of Les Misérables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The event marked his first visit to the cultural institution since taking office and is seen as part of a broader attempt to reshape its influence.
Arriving in a tuxedo alongside First Lady Melania Trump, the President received a mixed reception. As he entered the theatre, the audience responded with a blend of applause and boos. During intermission, an audience member shouted a profanity, which was met with loud cheers—underscoring the political tensions surrounding the evening.
