Since President Donald Trump began running for president in 2015, one of his most consistent campaign promises was to enforce federal immigration laws, deport illegal aliens and construct a southern border wall.
In his very first speech as a candidate on June 16, 2015 after he descended the golden escalator, Trump vowed to build a border wall and curtail illegal immigration that he said Mexico was “not sending their best. They’re not sending you… They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime…”
Now, as the American people witness the city of Los Angeles once again engulfed in riots and flames, this time begun to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from enforcing federal immigration laws and deporting illegal aliens in response to lawful ICE raids on June 6 that detained around 200 illegal aliens, the American people can see that Trump was right all along.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the protests rapidly became violent as rioters attacked police on June 6 throwing concrete: “Officers are reporting that a small group of violent individuals are throwing large pieces of concrete. Once again, an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared. You must leave the area. The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons on June 7 issued a statement describing the violence: “Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building. It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.”
Lyons added, “What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling. As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement… These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.”
Lyons concluded with a warning to California and other states that actively obstructing federal immigration laws as a matter of public policy was endangering communities: “Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”
President Trump has since authorized via proclamation on June 7 under 10 U.S. Code Sec. 12406 the National Guard and other military branches under federal authority to secure federal buildings in Los Angeles and to assist with the enforcement of federal authority.
In the proclamation, Trump called the riots a “rebellion,” stating, “Numerous incidents of violence and disorder have recently occurred and threaten to continue in response to the enforcement of Federal law by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions and supporting the faithful execution of Federal immigration laws. In addition, violent protests threaten the security of and significant damage to Federal immigration detention facilities and other Federal property. To the extent that protests or acts of violence directly inhibit the execution of the laws, they constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.”
The mission is to “temporarily protect ICE and other United States Government personnel who are performing Federal functions, including the enforcement of Federal law, and to protect Federal property, at locations where protests against these functions are occurring or are likely to occur based on current threat assessments and planned operations.”
The military presence will include around 2,000 National Guardsmen: “The members and units of the National Guard called into Federal service shall be at least 2,000 National Guard personnel and the duration of duty shall be for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. In addition, the Secretary of Defense may employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary to augment and support the protection of Federal functions and property in any number determined appropriate in his discretion.” And it now also includes 700 Marines who have been ordered to play a supporting role in the situation while order is restored.
To interdict these and other problems thanks to the millions of illegal immigrants former President Joe Biden let into the country — combining data from both the United States Border Patrol encounters and the Office of Field Operations inadmissibles by the Office of Immigration Statistics, there were some 10.8 million border encounters all told from January 2021 to November 2024 — on May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Besides extending and expanding the 2017 Trump tax cuts, also provides around $50 billion for border wall construction and border security facilities, $12 billion for state border security reimbursement, $8 billion for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and vehicles, $6 billion for border protection technology and other security enhancements and $1 billion for grants to state and local jurisdictions.
It also removes about 1.4 million illegal aliens from Medicaid and other government programs with stepped up enforcement.
And the legislation also includes $45 billion for additional detention capacity, $14 billion for removals, $8 billion for hiring more ICE agents and $3 billion for unaccompanied children.
The legislation now awaits Senate action, with some members complaining about there being too little deficit reduction and others complaining there is too much. As far as spending goes, the border provisions are far and away the largest provisions — and definitely overdue.
In 2017, despite having House and Senate majorities, the Republican Congress led by Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell failed to deliver the border wall or much of anything else, compelling President Trump to resort to a national emergency declaration in 2019 to get as much of the wall completed as possible. Then, Republicans in Congress disenfranchised the American people.
After the failed Biden administration, with the nation overwhelmed by millions of illegal aliens on purpose thanks to catch and release border policies, millions of independents and Democrats voted for Trump and Republicans in 2024, delivering Trump with the first popular vote win for a Republican since 2004.
Today, Trump’s handling of immigration remains his most popular policy, and with the riots in Los Angeles, that will likely be cemented as the American people finally say enough is enough. Congress has a duty to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, secure the border, finish the wall and put real resources behind the President’s deportation plan. It’s time to get tough.
Robert Romano is the Executive Director of Americans for Limited Government.
