Sources from Customs and Border Protection indicated that significant resources are being deployed to address the escalating anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Specialized agents have augmented the presence of border patrol officers in the area, with plans to send an additional 2,000 national security personnel in response to the ongoing unrest.
Many of these specially trained agents belong to units such as the Border Patrol Special Operations Group (SOG), including the Border Patrol Tactical Team (BORTAC) and the Border Patrol Search, Trauma, Rescue Unit (Bolster). The deployment of these agents was scheduled to begin on Saturday, with plans to head to Los Angeles by Sunday and more agents possibly being sent in the coming days if the situation demands it.
While specific numbers of agents were not disclosed for security reasons, it was noted that the figures might fluctuate as circumstances in Los Angeles evolve.
“These agents are highly trained and prepared for action. They have full authority to make arrests related to federal offenses, such as assault or resistance against federal officers,” an official stated, emphasizing a distinction from National Guard soldiers.
Sources remarked that the agency is adept at handling situations involving riots and civil disturbances. A notable historical reference is from 1992, when hundreds of Border Patrol agents were dispatched to Los Angeles following the acquittal of four police officers involved in the assault of Rodney King, which sparked significant unrest, looting, and violence.
This deployment marks part of the Trump administration’s broader response to what has been described as “lawlessness that has been allowed to grow,” according to Press Secretary Caroline Levitt on Saturday.
Levitt further commented:
The unrest has led California’s Democratic leaders to neglect their duty to safeguard citizens. Thus, President Trump has sent 2,000 national guards to address the chaos. The administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards criminal behavior, especially when it targets law enforcement attempting to perform their duties.
In addition to the agents from the SOG, numerous agents are typically part of the mobile response team, trained to rapidly address both local and national incidents as needed. The sectors that can mobilize agents in response to the unrest in Los Angeles include San Diego, Tucson, El Paso, Laredo, Del Rio, Rio Grande Valley, Detroit, Spokane, Halton, Swanton, Blaine, and Buffalo.
The Mobile Response Team (MRT), which comprises nearly 500 agents when combined with other SOG personnel, has also been involved in training international law enforcement in skills related to riot management and crowd control, collaborating with the US Secret Service during the 2021 presidential inauguration.
