LA curfew extended, NYC protesters arrested as anti-ICE demonstrations intensify nationwide

At least 86 protesters have been arrested in New York City and 17 more in downtown Los Angeles as nationwide demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and federal troop deployment intensified for a sixth consecutive night. The protests, centered around ICE detention policies and the federalization of the California National Guard, have triggered legal disputes between President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom, and are now drawing widespread responses from local and state officials across major U.S. cities.

Arrests in New York City: How the ICE protests escalated near City Hall

In New York City, police began making arrests around 8:30 PM ET Wednesday after a protest march, initially peaceful at Foley Square, moved into nearby streets and defied police orders to clear the intersection of Broadway and Duane Street. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), 86 individuals were detained, with charges ranging from disorderly conduct to obstructing governmental administration.

A spokesperson for NYPD stated that officers issued repeated warnings before proceeding with arrests, noting that several demonstrators blocked traffic, refused lawful orders, and engaged in minor confrontations. The protest was part of a coordinated response to ICE raids in Los Angeles that resulted in the detention of 61 undocumented Mexican nationals earlier this week.

Dozens of NYPD officers remained on standby late into the evening as protesters continued chanting near the U.S. Immigration Court and Jacob K. Javits Federal Building. Police sources said no injuries were reported, and most detainees are expected to be processed with desk appearance tickets.

Why Los Angeles is under curfew as anti-ICE protests enter sixth night

In Los Angeles, a 1-square-mile overnight curfew imposed by Mayor Karen Bass entered its second consecutive night on Wednesday, covering key downtown areas around City Hall and the federal courthouse. The curfew was announced following five nights of escalating confrontations between protesters and police.

Tensions escalated further after President Trump deployed approximately 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 U.S. Marines to assist in crowd control and support ICE activities. These forces began arriving over the weekend despite formal opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass. According to military officials cited in public briefings, the Marines and Guardsmen are not carrying live ammunition but are trained and equipped for riot control, vehicle barricades, and perimeter security.

Why California is suing Trump over National Guard deployment

Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit on Monday in federal court, accusing the Trump administration of unlawfully federalizing the California National Guard and “trampling over the state’s constitutional authority.” The suit contends that the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act and bypasses state consent, which is traditionally required unless under extreme emergency circumstances.

In response, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement late Tuesday dismissing the lawsuit as a “crass political stunt” and defended the president’s use of emergency powers under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. Federal officials emphasized that troop deployment is necessary to protect federal buildings, assist ICE operations, and ensure public order amid what they termed “organized civil resistance.”

Where ICE protests are spreading beyond LA and NYC

Beyond New York and Los Angeles, large-scale demonstrations have been reported in San Francisco, Denver, Austin, and Boston, each with varying degrees of police presence and public disruption. In Denver, protests outside the local ICE field office have led to minor property damage but no mass arrests. Meanwhile, the Texas Governor’s Office confirmed the deployment of additional National Guard units in Austin ahead of Thursday’s planned “Day of Defiance.”

In Boston, protesters gathered at Copley Square calling for an end to all immigration raids and for local officials to declare the city a sanctuary zone. While no violence was reported, Boston police confirmed minor confrontations and heightened patrols near South Station and city courts.

What U.S. mayors are saying about the ICE raids and federal troops

As of Wednesday night, more than 30 mayors across the Los Angeles metro area signed a joint letter urging an end to federal raids, calling the operations “political theater rooted in fear.” In media appearances, several mayors reiterated their refusal to cooperate with ICE unless presented with judicial warrants.

Mayor Bass reaffirmed this stance, stating in a televised address that Los Angeles would not be “turned into a military zone for political optics.” City attorneys are reportedly exploring local injunctions to limit the scope of federal enforcement within municipal boundaries.

Governor Newsom, speaking at a press conference from Sacramento, reiterated his view that the federal government had “overstepped legal and ethical boundaries,” and called for the immediate withdrawal of military personnel from civilian enforcement roles.

ICE raids in Los Angeles: What officials say about the 61 detentions

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, recent operations in Los Angeles led to the detention of 61 undocumented Mexican nationals, many of whom are now undergoing expedited removal proceedings. The agency asserts that all detained individuals had prior removal orders or criminal records.

Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch, have challenged that claim. Legal observers have noted inconsistencies in the ICE database and accused federal agents of targeting individuals without probable cause. Footage circulating on social media appears to show plainclothes agents detaining individuals in grocery store parking lots and near elementary schools, fueling public anger and confusion.

How the Trump administration is justifying the federal response

The Trump administration maintains that ICE operations and troop deployments are both legal and necessary. In a social media post on Wednesday evening, President Trump claimed the military deployment “prevented LA from burning to the ground” and described protesters as “radical agitators bent on undermining national law.”

Homeland Security officials confirmed that all federal assets were operating under unified command and within restricted rules of engagement. According to Pentagon sources, Marines deployed in the region completed four days of domestic crowd-control training before active duty. These sources emphasized that their mission remains “support-only” and subject to federal oversight in coordination with ICE and DHS.

What happens next: Legal battles, planned protests, and nationwide deployments

The situation remains fluid. Federal court hearings are expected later this week to determine whether a temporary restraining order will be granted in Governor Newsom’s lawsuit. Civil liberties groups have also filed amicus briefs arguing for judicial oversight of military participation in civilian law enforcement.

Meanwhile, organizers in multiple cities are preparing for a coordinated “Day of Defiance” on Thursday, with rallies expected in over a dozen cities. Federal officials have indicated that additional personnel may be deployed to Texas, Colorado, and Arizona, depending on protest scale and volatility.