Belizeans in L.A. on High Alert Amid Anti ICE Protests

Protests over immigration enforcement escalated across Los Angeles, USA, over the weekend, erupting into fiery demonstrations and mass arrests that worsened after President Trump’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops without state approval.

At least 56 protesters were arrested, according to NBC News, as demonstrators torched self-driving Waymo vehicles, looted businesses, and shut down sections of the 101 Freeway. LA police responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash-bangs, declaring multiple unlawful assemblies.

CBS News Los Angeles reported several fires were set in dumpsters and trash bins, and at least one store sustained damage from alleged looters. Graffiti covered dozens of buildings, including the LAPD Headquarters, the U.S. Courthouse, and the old Los Angeles Times building. Helicopter footage showed multiple shattered windows at police headquarters.

Protests began Friday after ICE raids in L.A.’s Fashion District and other locations and intensified when troops began guarding federal buildings.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the federal response, stating, “What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the [Trump] administration.”

President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, with 300 already deployed by Sunday. The move also drew criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Trump is trying to manufacture a crisis… hoping for chaos so he can justify more crackdowns, more fear, more control,” Newsom said.

The deployment was made without the governor’s approval, which prompted Newsom to threaten legal action. “We’re suing him,” he posted, calling the deployment “illegal and immoral.”

According to CBS News, Trump responded in brief remarks to reporters Monday, saying that California Gov. Gavin Newsom should be arrested and added, “I like Gavin Newsom … he’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent.”

An estimated 300,000 Belizeans live abroad, with most residing in the United States, where Los Angeles hosts the largest Belizean community.

With more than 55,000 Belizeans living in the Greater Los Angeles area, scattered primarily within the South Central, Inglewood, and Compton areas, it remains unconfirmed whether any Belizean nationals were among those arrested.

A second flight of deportees landed in Belize last week. Belizeans residing illegally in the U.S. are urged to take advantage of voluntary departure programmes, which offer a US$1,000 exit bonus for those who choose to self-deport.

According to California news, protests are expected to continue throughout the week.