The Trump Administration is considering broader deployment of the National Guard to support immigration enforcement and manage protests, particularly in response to ICE raids in Los Angeles. President Trump indicated that the deployment to Los Angeles could be just the beginning of a larger effort, emphasizing a strong response to any further unrest. Discussions about mobilizing the National Guard for immigration enforcement have been ongoing for months, with potential deployments contingent on the situation in other cities following the Los Angeles model.

While the military could provide various forms of assistance, including security and transportation, it is not authorized to assist with immigration arrests. The recent deployment of National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles amid immigration-related protests, despite objections from local officials, has led to the arrest of hundreds of undocumented immigrants and the implementation of a curfew in parts of the city.

Legal challenges have arisen regarding the federalization of California’s National Guard, with a federal judge ruling it illegal before being temporarily blocked by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. President Trump defended the deployment on social media, claiming it prevented further unrest. Prior to the deployment, the Department of Homeland Security had requested over 20,000 National Guardsmen to assist ICE with transportation, processing, and apprehension tasks.