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National Guard soldiers deployed during protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles have temporarily detained civilians, according to Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, the commanding officer overseeing the response. In a media interview Wednesday, Sherman confirmed that although the troops are not authorized to make arrests, they have briefly detained individuals until local law enforcement arrived to take over.
Sherman, who leads Task Force 51—responsible for managing more than 4,000 Guard members and 700 Marines currently stationed in the city—said these detentions took place over the past few days. However, he noted such incidents have declined as tensions in the city have subsided. He emphasized that National Guard personnel do not directly engage in law enforcement actions and that detainees are handed off as soon as police secure the situation.
Approximately 500 National Guard troops have now been trained to support immigration operations, with many receiving specialized instruction to accompany federal agents on enforcement missions. Immigration authorities have already released images of Guard troops providing security during these operations.
Despite a temporary calm in Los Angeles, Sherman warned of the potential for renewed unrest.
“We are expecting a ramp up,” he said, citing a rise in nationwide discussions about protests. “I’m focused right here in LA, what’s going on right here. But you know, I think we’re, we’re very concerned.”
All deployed Guard troops are undergoing multi-day training on managing civil unrest. Those selected to assist with immigration raids receive additional legal and operational instruction, including practice exercises with immigration agents.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.