A Federal Show of Force Ignites Protest and Unease Among Immigrant Communities
By The Haitian Pulse | June 10, 2025
Los Angeles is once again at the epicenter of a national debate — not just over immigration, but over the unchecked use of federal power. Over the weekend, the Trump administration dispatched 700 U.S. Marines and activated National Guard troops without state authorization, in response to massive protests that erupted after ICE raids in communities like Paramount and Compton.
The protests were swift, emotional, and large. Over 1,000 people gathered at the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, demanding an end to deportations and denouncing what many saw as a deliberate campaign to intimidate immigrants.
A President’s Power Tested: Marines on the Streets
What makes this moment especially jarring is the legal mechanism used. President Trump, under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, can deploy active-duty Marines without consulting local or state leaders — unlike the National Guard, which typically falls under the authority of governors unless federalized.
The Marines, however, are currently restricted by law from performing police duties unless Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a rarely used authority that allows military force against civilians in cases of rebellion or civil unrest. That act hasn’t been used since the 1992 Rodney King riots.
But the sight of Marines — not just National Guard — in an American city has drawn sharp criticism.
Governor Gavin Newsom has accused the federal government of escalating tensions unnecessarily and is now preparing a legal challenge against what he calls "an unauthorized military intrusion into state affairs." Mayor Karen Bass echoed those concerns, calling it “a federal provocation disguised as protection.”
Community Voices: 'This Is About More Than Immigration'
On the ground, the protest energy was defiant, but purposeful.
“I’m here for the freedom of this beautiful country that is ours—all of ours to have and to share,” said Forest Brass, a demonstrator who carried both Palestinian and Mexican flags to highlight shared struggles for liberation.
Others expressed unease at the political motivations behind the military deployment.
Dusty Smith, a 42-year-old Black resident, wasn’t there just for immigration:
“Sending in the National Guard is a distraction from everything else Trump is doing. It’s absurd, unneeded, and people are going to get hurt.”
Despite a heavy law enforcement presence — including riot police, helicopters, and zip tie–wielding officers — daytime protests remained largely peaceful. But the mood was tense, especially near federal buildings now ringed with National Guard troops.
Haitians: The Unseen Target?
For Haitian immigrants, especially those under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or recently arrived asylum seekers, the deployment sends a chilling message. The same administration that tried to end TPS protections for Haitians is now surrounding immigrant communities with military forces.
“History tells us to be wary when soldiers appear on our streets,” said Marie Desrouleaux, a Haitian community organizer in South Los Angeles.
“Whether it’s in Port-au-Prince or L.A., our people have seen what military force used for political ends looks like. It never ends well for the poor, the Black, or the immigrant.”
Haitian families — many of whom have endured trauma from political instability, natural disasters, and forced displacement — now face a haunting question: Is this still a place of refuge, or is America becoming a mirror of the very systems we fled?
Jean-Robert Salnave, a Haitian-American teacher in Inglewood, voiced the growing anxiety:
“This isn’t just about raids or immigration status anymore. It’s about dignity. It's about whether we belong.”
What You Can Do
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Know your rights. Federal presence does not eliminate due process or civil liberties.
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Stay connected. The Haitian Pulse will continue monitoring events in real time, focusing on Haitian and Afro-Caribbean communities.
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Support immigrant rights. Legal defense funds, grassroots protests, and community forums all need you now.
The Moment Calls for Unity and Courage
If we’ve learned anything from history, it’s this: moments like these test not just laws, but the character of a nation.
Are we going to stay silent while military boots meet protest chants?
Or will we raise our voices — together — and say this is not who we are?
👇 Let us know in the comments. How does this moment affect you or your community?
What’s the best way forward?
The Haitian Pulse is more than news — we’re the heartbeat of a people. Rooted in truth, committed to community, and unafraid to ask the hard questions. Stay with us. Stand with us.
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