Trump Deploys Marines as Los Angeles Protests Escalate

Federal Intervention Sparks Legal Battle with California Governor

Escalating tensions over immigration policy have led to a dramatic deployment of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, as protests erupt following recent ICE raids and claims by the **Trump** administration of a “migrant invasion.” The move has triggered a direct conflict with California’s governor, who decries it as a misuse of federal power.

“Invasion” Claims Contradicted by Data

The basis for the federal intervention rests on assertions made by **President Trump** and his aides regarding an influx of undocumented migrants overwhelming Los Angeles. On June 8, **Trump** wrote on his Truth Social platform, “A once great American City, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals.” White House Deputy Chief of Staff **Stephen Miller** echoed this sentiment, stating, “America was invaded by illegal aliens.” However, official data paints a different picture.

America was invaded by illegal aliens.

Americans voted to end the invasion.

Democrat rioters are now waging violent insurrection to overturn the election result and continue the invasion.

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 10, 2025

Data from the U.S. Office of Homeland Security Statistics reveals that the undocumented migrant population in California has actually *decreased* since 2010. The population fell from an estimated 2.9 million in 2010 to 2.6 million in 2022. This trend is particularly noticeable among Mexican migrants, with approximately 2.6 million leaving the U.S. between 2010 and 2018, with 45 percent doing so voluntarily. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. residents born in Mexico reached a 50-year low in 2023 (Pew Research Center, January 31, 2024).

Economic Factors Drive Return Migration

The decline in the undocumented population isn’t solely attributable to enforcement efforts. Research indicates that improved economic opportunities in Mexico, coupled with limited employment prospects in the U.S., are driving factors behind the voluntary return of Mexican migrants. **Anne Pebley**, a social demographer at UCLA, found that this trend began after the Great Recession, as financial conditions improved in Mexico.

According to Governor Newsom, this is what the Founders were fighting for: https://t.co/ow1c1OpOkY pic.twitter.com/udE6D0QPtk

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 11, 2025

Crime Rates Fall Despite Rhetoric

Despite claims of increased crime linked to migrants, data indicates the opposite. Violent crime in California decreased by 4.6 percent, and property crime dropped by 8.5 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Studies consistently demonstrate that migrants are less likely to be incarcerated than native-born citizens; recent research shows they are 60 percent less likely to be jailed.

Public Opinion Shifts

While a majority of Californians have historically viewed migrants as a benefit to the state, recent surveys show a decline in this perception. A February 2024 PPIC survey found that 60 percent of residents believe migrants contribute positively, down from 66 percent in 2023 and 78 percent in 2021.

Legal and Political Fallout

The deployment of 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard soldiers to Los Angeles has deepened the divide between the **Trump** administration and California’s government. Governor **Newsom** has filed a lawsuit to challenge the federalization of the National Guard, calling **Trump’s** actions a “brazen abuse of power.” The situation remains fluid, with protests continuing and the legal battle unfolding.