Elite Border Patrol tactical teams are now being deployed to Los Angeles amid escalating anti-ICE protests, bringing specialized riot control capabilities and federal arrest authority that the National Guard lacks.
Key Takeaways
- Specialized Border Patrol units including BORTAC, BORSTAR, and Mobile Response Teams are being deployed to Los Angeles to combat violent anti-ICE protests
- Unlike the 2,000 National Guard troops already deployed, these Border Patrol agents have full federal arrest authority
- ICE operations in Los Angeles have resulted in 118 arrests, including gang members and individuals with criminal histories
- President Trump ordered federal intervention after criticizing state and local leadership’s response to the protests
- Protesters have attacked Border Patrol vehicles with rocks and concrete, prompting warnings of federal prosecution
Federal Tactical Response Mobilized
A substantial contingent of specially trained Border Patrol agents is heading to Los Angeles to assist with violent anti-ICE protests that have erupted across the city. The deployment includes elite units from the Border Patrol Tactical Team (BORTAC), Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue unit (BORSTAR), and Mobile Response Teams (MRT). These highly trained federal agents will join approximately 2,000 National Guard troops already committed by President Trump to restore order. The exact number of Border Patrol agents being deployed remains classified for operational security reasons, though their presence marks a significant escalation in federal response.
The key distinction between these Border Patrol units and National Guard troops is their full federal arrest authority. Unlike Guard members who primarily serve in support roles, these specialized agents can directly apprehend individuals committing federal crimes. This deployment represents the most significant Border Patrol presence in Los Angeles since the 1992 riots, when agents were similarly called to assist with restoring order. The tactical teams’ riot control expertise is specifically being sought to address the current unrest.
Escalating Violence Prompts Federal Action
Recent protests have deteriorated into violent confrontations, with demonstrators attacking Border Patrol vehicles with rocks and concrete blocks near a Home Depot in Paramount, California. The unrest followed ICE enforcement operations that resulted in 118 arrests, targeting gang members and individuals with criminal histories. These enforcement actions triggered protests that quickly spiraled, with demonstrators causing significant property damage and defacing law enforcement vehicles with anti-ICE graffiti. Previous incidents included over 1,000 rioters surrounding a federal building and assaulting ICE agents.
“ANY attack on our agents or officers will not be tolerated. You will be arrested and federally prosecuted,” said U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from President Trump, who blamed California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their inadequate response. The Trump administration characterized the situation as “lawlessness” that required immediate federal intervention. Vice President JD Vance has described the border crisis as an “invasion,” citing instances of foreign nationals assaulting law enforcement officers. The FBI has also joined the effort, seeking information on individuals who attacked law enforcement vehicles during the protests.
Reporter’s Vehicle Hit in Paramount Riots: @MattSeedorff Covers Chaos as Protesters Clash with Border Patrol!
Fox News LA reporter Matthew Seedorff found himself in the thick of escalating violence in Paramount, California, where his news vehicle was struck during intense riots… pic.twitter.com/j8W4glgSUY
— Off Topic Show (@OffTopicShow2) June 7, 2025
Political Tensions and State Opposition
The federal deployment has exacerbated political tensions, with Governor Newsom opposing the National Guard activation, calling it inflammatory. This resistance has only strengthened the Trump administration’s resolve to assert federal authority in restoring order. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has issued stern warnings to protesters, emphasizing that federal prosecution awaits anyone who attacks law enforcement. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has attempted to balance acknowledging the right to peaceful protest while condemning the violence.
“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!,” said President Donald Trump.
The Mobile Response Team, one of the units being deployed, has extensive experience in handling high-intensity situations. They previously supported the U.S. Secret Service during the 2021 Presidential Inauguration and have trained foreign law enforcement agencies. Border Patrol agents from multiple sectors including San Diego, Tucson, El Paso, and others are available for deployment to Los Angeles as needed. The situation continues to develop as federal forces work to restore order while local officials grapple with the political implications of federal intervention in their jurisdiction.
