immigration

A line of California National Guard members in full riot gear stand shoulder to shoulder holding transparent shields labeled “CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD.” They wear helmets with face shields and camouflage uniforms. The photo is taken at street level, with tall downtown buildings and an American flag visible in the background on a sunny day.

Justice

Appeals court allows Trump to keep National Guard in Los Angeles temporarily

Gov. Gavin Newsom's lawsuit over President Trump's deployment of the Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles could influence how future presidents respond to domestic unrest.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

and

Ben Christopher

• June 12, 2025

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium in front of a dark blue curtain, flanked by alternating U.S. and California state flags. The lighting highlights him in the center of the frame while the flags are partially shadowed.

Politics

Gavin Newsom changes his tune on running for president

Gov. Gavin Newsom long insisted that he had no interest in running for president, despite rampant speculation. Now he’s publicly acknowledging that it’s a possibility.

By

Alexei Koseff

• June 12, 2025

A black-and-white historical photograph shows a large group of people—adults and children—standing along a railroad track, waving and saying goodbye. Many are holding handkerchiefs and appear emotional. The group includes women holding children and people of all ages dressed in 1930s attire. This image captures a moment of farewell during the era of Mexican repatriation in the United States.

Commentary

History suggests the GOP will pay a political price for its immigration tactics in California

Important lessons can be learned from mass removals of Latinos in U.S. history. Besides injuring vulnerable immigrants, the measures had political consequences in the long run, with some even benefiting immigrants.

By Kevin Johnson • June 11, 2025

The silhouette of a protester as they hold up a U.S.-Mexico flag in front of a small fire burning in the middle of a street during an evening protest.

Justice

72 hours in LA: Immigration sweeps, protests and a historic National Guard deployment

CalMatters photographers captured immigration sweeps and protests that led up to President Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles.

By

CalMatters Visuals Team

• June 10, 2025

Heavily armed officers in tactical gear and face coverings stand in a line with clear riot shields as protesters confront them in the street. Several protesters gesture and record the interaction with their phones. The scene unfolds in front of a building marked "ambiance" on a bright day.

Commentary

Trump, Newsom clash over LA protests and federal funding feeds their political interests

As President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom exchange unpleasantries over immigration and funding, they give each other opportunities to make overtures to their political bases.

By

Dan Walters

• June 10, 2025

Two individuals engage in a heated conversation outdoors. One, wearing a dark button-up shirt, gestures emphatically with a pointed finger, appearing animated. The other, wearing a blazer and a black cap with gold lettering, listens intently with a serious expression. A blurred, neutral-toned landscape serves as the background.

Politics

Newsom-Trump truce explodes as president deploys troops against his wishes

Tensions between Newsom and Trump escalated over the weekend, with the governor accusing the president of lying to him and overriding his authority.

By

Alexei Koseff

• June 9, 2025

A line of heavily armed federal officers in tactical gear stands on a city street during a protest. Some wear FBI patches and hold rifles, one of which has a neon green magazine. Yellow police tape marks the ground, and a barbed-wire fence and industrial building labeled "ambiance" are visible in the background. The officers face forward, maintaining a defensive posture.

Politics

With troops and protests, Trump’s feud with California moves to the streets of LA

President Trump's deployment of California National Guard soldiers in spite of Gov. Gavin Newsom's objections escalated tensions between the Republican administration and the Democratic state.

By

Nigel Duara

and

Jeanne Kuang

• June 9, 2025

A man speaks at a podium during a rally, with a crowd of supporters behind him holding a sign that reads “UNIONS FOR ALL.” He wears a black jacket with an SEIU pin and appears to be addressing the media or audience, with sunlight casting shadows across his face.

Justice

‘Everybody stood up’: Why a union leader’s arrest galvanized California Democrats on immigration

SEIU California leader David Huerta pressed to raise wages for custodians and other workers for decades before he was detained at a Los Angeles immigration protest.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• June 9, 2025

A person in a dark blue suit with a purple tie stands at a podium with a mic while addressing reporters. The person is wearing an American flag pin on their lapel. In the background, a self of books can be seen along with an American flag.

Politics

Trump ignored Newsom in putting the National Guard in LA. That’s rare in US history

It's exceedingly rare for presidents to call up the National Guard in opposition to a governor's wishes, as President Trump did in deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• June 8, 2025

A National Guard soldier stands in full camouflage uniform and face shield, holding a rifle in front of military vehicles in an urban setting. Behind him, graffiti on a wall includes anti-police messages, and other soldiers are seen near green armored trucks and equipment.

Justice

Gavin Newsom asks Trump to withdraw troops from Los Angeles as protests intensify

Gov. Gavin Newsom and other leading California Democrats criticized President Trump's deployment of National Guard soldiers in Los Angeles, calling it an unnecessary provocation.

By

Nigel Duara

,

Jeanne Kuang

and

Sergio Olmos

• June 8, 2025