California National Guard Supports Federal Immigration Sweep Los Angeles Park

On July 7, 2025, about 90 members of the California National Guard and more than 100 federal immigration enforcement agents, including U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations officers, descended on MacArthur Park in Los Angeles for an immigration enforcement sweep. The operation featured agents in tactical gear, some on horseback, along with numerous military vehicles such as Humvees and tactical vehicles, leading to a heavily militarized scene described by Mayor Karen Bass as "outrageous" and akin to a "city under siege." The park, located in a neighborhood with a large immigrant population and known as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast,” saw swift protests and the presence of local officials, with Bass confronting federal agents and demanding the operation end immediately. The sweep appeared not to result in immediate arrests, and troops were reportedly there to support but not directly participate in the arrests. The deployment follows President Donald Trump's order last month to send thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles to support immigration enforcement amid intensified raids. The operation drew criticism from local leaders and activists for its disruptive impact on families and children in the area, including children attending summer camps in the park who were quickly ushered indoors to avoid witnessing the show of force.