It feels like something out of a dystopian novel, but for residents in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, it’s been the literal morning view from their front porch. Camo-clad soldiers standing guard while federal agents conduct immigration raids. It’s heavy.
The national guard deployment anti-ICE protests didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. They are the result of a massive, unprecedented collision between federal deportation pushes and state-level resistance. Basically, the White House started "federalizing" state troops to back up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the streets absolutely erupted.
If you're trying to make sense of the legal jargon and the tear gas, you're not alone. It's a mess.
The Los Angeles Flashpoint
Last June, things got real in LA. President Trump seized control of the California National Guard—totally against Governor Gavin Newsom’s wishes—and sent 4,000 troops into the city. Why? To protect ICE facilities and officers during "Operation Midway Blitz."
The scene at the Westlake Home Depot on June 6, 2025, was chaotic. Protesters saw DHS officers staging for a raid and surrounded the building. We’re talking over a thousand people. By the time the sun went down, the LAPD had declared an unlawful assembly. There were reports of concrete being thrown, and the police responded with flash-bangs and pepper spray.
"They have the city turned into a war zone just like they want it to be," a protester named Cameron told reporters. "They're here to scare people."
This wasn't just a local scuffle. It was the first time in modern history we've seen a President forcibly take a state's Guard members to use them for domestic immigration enforcement. Honestly, it set a terrifying precedent for a lot of people.
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Why the National Guard?
You might wonder why ICE needs the military. Technically, the administration argued that "professional agitators" were making it impossible for federal agents to do their jobs. They cited 10 U.S.C. § 12406, an old law that lets the President call up the Guard if the "regular forces" can't execute federal law.
But the reality on the ground was different. Most of the protests were small—fewer than 50 people in some spots. In Portland, Oregon, the "insurrection" the government claimed was happening actually consisted of about 15 people in inflatable animal costumes dancing to "deflate" the tension.
The national guard deployment anti-ICE protests weren't just about the raids themselves; they were about the presence of the military on American streets. It felt like "theater and intimidation," according to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson.
The Minnesota Standoff
As of January 2026, the heat has moved to Minneapolis. It’s freezing outside, but the political temperature is boiling.
Earlier this month, an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, during a protest confrontation. That was the spark. Now, thousands of people are on messaging apps, sharing license plate numbers of suspected ICE vehicles to warn neighbors. It’s a level of organized resistance unlike anything we've seen.
Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act here. He calls the protesters "insurrectionists" and "garbage." Meanwhile, the Pentagon has 1,500 soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska on standby, ready to fly into Minnesota if the Governor doesn't "quell" the crowds.
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Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison isn't backing down, though. He’s already filed suit, calling the federal surge a "federal invasion."
The Legal Reality (What the Courts Said)
The courts have been the only thing slowing this train down. In late December 2025, the Supreme Court actually handed a win to the states in Trump v. Illinois.
The 6-3 ruling basically said the President can't just grab the National Guard because he feels like it. They ruled that the administration hadn't proven that regular federal agents were actually "unable" to do their work. It was a narrow win, but it forced troops to withdraw from Chicago and LA just before the New Year.
Here is the catch: The ruling didn't say the President can't use the military. It just said he used the wrong legal "hook." He could still use the Insurrection Act, which is way harder to challenge in court.
Key Areas of Conflict in 2025-2026
- Los Angeles: The "June 6 Raids" led to 4,000 Guard members being deployed and 118 arrests in 24 hours.
- Chicago: A South Shore apartment raid in October led to the arrest of 37 people and a major lawsuit from AG Kwame Raoul.
- Charlotte: "Operation Charlotte’s Web" targeted 1,400 people, leading to massive street protests and accusations of racial profiling from Governor Josh Stein.
- Minneapolis: "Operation Metro Surge" has brought 3,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities—more than the entire local police force.
What You Can Actually Do
If you’re living in a city seeing these deployments, the situation changes daily. It’s easy to feel helpless when there are literal tanks or Humvees on the corner, but there are practical ways to navigate this.
1. Know Your Rights (For Real)
Even if the National Guard is there, the 4th Amendment still exists. You don't have to open your door for ICE or the Guard unless they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An "administrative warrant" (Form I-200) does NOT give them the right to enter your home.
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2. Document Safely
In January 2026, a federal judge ruled that immigration officers cannot detain or tear-gas peaceful protesters who aren't obstructing them. If you see an encounter, film it from a safe distance. Don't interfere, but don't stop recording. Documentation is why several cases in LA were dropped after DHS agents were caught making false statements.
3. Use Local Resources
Groups like the ACLU and local "Immigrant Defense Networks" (IDN) are running 24/7 hotlines. If you see activity, report it to these verified groups rather than just posting on social media, which can sometimes spread unverified panic.
4. Pressure State Leaders
The reason the Guard left Illinois and California is because the Governors and Attorneys General fought back in court. If your state leader is "pledging" troops (like Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe did recently), they are using your tax dollars for this. Make sure they know where you stand.
The national guard deployment anti-ICE protests are a symptom of a much bigger fight over who actually controls the streets of American cities. Whether it’s Portland’s "tactical frivolity" with animal costumes or the somber vigils in Minneapolis, the pushback isn't stopping anytime soon.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
- Monitor Local AG Statements: Follow your State Attorney General’s office for updates on any active lawsuits against federalization.
- Join a Rapid Response Network: Look for local organizations that provide "Know Your Rights" training specifically tailored to military presence.
- Track Legislative Changes: Keep an eye on the "Stop the Militarization of Our Cities Act" currently being debated in several state legislatures to prevent future voluntary deployments.