Los ongoing protests in Los Angeles against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies have sparked a crucial debate on democracy. Despite being largely peaceful, these demonstrations have drawn the ire of Trump and Republicans, prompting the deployment of the National Guard and 700 U.S. Marines to the city against local officials’ wishes. Trump’s campaign threat of the “largest deportation operation in American history” has instilled fear in immigrant communities, regardless of the actual scale of deportations.

The protests reflect widespread anger over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s indiscriminate targeting of individuals without due process, leading to arrests of immigrants complying with legal procedures. The administration’s aggressive enforcement actions have resulted in the arrest of law-abiding immigrants, including legal residents like Kilmar Abrego Garcia and student activists such as Mahmoud Khalil.

Republican support for Trump’s immigration crackdown raises questions about their commitment to states’ rights, as federal intervention contradicts their traditional stance. The erosion of due process under Trump’s immigration policies and the disregard for constitutional rights highlight alarming trends toward arbitrary enforcement and circumvention of legal procedures.

The unfolding events underscore the importance of upholding rights and democratic principles in the face of harsh immigration measures. The protests serve as a poignant reminder of the need to safeguard due process and uphold the rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and enforcement actions.