Mexican President Sheinbaum Reacts To L.A. Unrest, Claims City 'Wouldn't Be What It Is' Without Migrants

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the ICE raids that catalyzed days-long protests in Los Angeles, saying the city "wouldn't be what it is" without migrants.

"They migrate out of need and send resources to their families from there," the president added. "Mexicans will always have our backing and demand that their human rights be respected. They must know that, should they wish to return to Mexico, we will welcome them with open arms."

At least 56 people were arrested over the weekend after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard, leading to bitter political clashes. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the raids, saying the "chaotic federal sweeps" sought to meet an "arbitrary arrest quota." The move was also slammed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who said "what we're seeing is chaos provoked by the administration."

On the streets, protesters clashed with law enforcement, with agents deploying tear gas, pepper spray and flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds that were throwing objects at them, including rocks and Molotov cocktails. Many moved to block traffic on the 101 freeway until law enforcement cleared them by the late afternoon.

Clashes continued through the night, and the Los Angeles Police Department declared the Civic Center area in downtown Los Angeles an "unlawful assembly." Authorities added that some stores were being looted and at least five driverless Waymo cars had been set on fire.

The White House said it is circumventing a law usually needed to deploy National Guard troops to a state, which requires a state governor to request it, claiming that "violent protests threaten the security of and significant damage to Federal immigration detention facilities and other Federal property." Newsom requested Trump remove the officers in a letter on Sunday, saying the deployment was a "serious breach of state sovereignty."

Border czar Tom Homan defended the decision, threatening to arrest Newsom and Bass if they sought to block the operation. Newsom challenged the official to do so, saying "Tom, arrest me. Let's go."

The Associated Press reported that protesters shouted "shame" and "go home" at the hundreds of guards who arrived in Los Angeles. The Trump administration ordered the deployment of 2,000 troops, while roughly 500 Marines are in stand by in case they are called.