Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the violent clashes during Los Angeles anti-ICE protests and warned of diplomatic consequences.
At a Glance
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denounced violence during LA protests against immigration raids
- She urged the Mexican community to remain peaceful and avoid provocations
- President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to LA without California’s approval, sparking constitutional debate
- California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment unlawful and pledged legal action
- At least 42 Mexican nationals were detained in LA raids, with four deported, according to Mexico’s Foreign Ministry
Diplomatic Rebuke
In a press conference on June 9, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, “We condemn violence wherever it comes from” and appealed directly to Mexican immigrants to act peacefully and avoid provocations. Mexico’s Foreign Minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, confirmed that 42 Mexican nationals are currently detained in four Los Angeles-area facilities and that four have already been deported. Most were arrested while working.
Sheinbaum’s statement marks an unusual direct critique of U.S. domestic law enforcement by a sitting Mexican President, highlighting the diplomatic risks associated with aggressive immigration crackdowns.
Watch a report: National Guard fires tear gas at LA immigration protesters.
U.S. Federal vs. State Showdown
The latest unrest stems from a wave of ICE raids across Los Angeles targeting undocumented migrants. President Trump responded by unilaterally deploying 2,000 National Guard troops under federal authority, bypassing state consent and not invoking the Insurrection Act. Trump defended the move as necessary to protect federal property, describing the protests as “violent, instigated riots.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment “unlawful” and vowed to challenge it in court, asserting that it undermines state sovereignty. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also denounced the military presence, describing it as a dangerous escalation while condemning violence on both sides.
Local Tensions and Implications
Street-level clashes erupted over the weekend as demonstrators hurled projectiles, cars were torched—including several operated by the autonomous vehicle company Waymo—and federal forces deployed tear gas to disperse crowds. The presence of military troops in urban streets has renewed national concerns over federal overreach and civil liberties.
For Los Angeles’ large Mexican-American community, the developments have triggered fear and outrage. Sheinbaum emphasized that the detained workers are “honest people … not criminals,” underscoring the humanitarian toll of mass immigration enforcement. Legal experts caution that Trump’s unilateral troop deployment may set a dangerous precedent if left unchecked.
Broader Significance
This crisis exposes deepening fractures in U.S.–Mexico relations. By condemning violence but defending protest rights, Sheinbaum’s statement positions Mexico as both a critic of U.S. tactics and an advocate for its diaspora. Her call for restraint suggests a diplomatic rather than confrontational approach.
Domestically, the standoff between the Trump administration and California’s state leadership could redefine the legal boundaries of military deployment during civil unrest. If Newsom’s legal challenge succeeds, it may reinforce the constitutional limits on federal authority. If not, it could pave the way for future unilateral actions under similar pretenses.
As tensions rise in Los Angeles and diplomatic conversations evolve, this episode may serve as a turning point in how the U.S. government balances immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and intergovernmental relations.
