In the days before protests erupted in Los Angeles, the Trump administration stepped up its efforts to detain migrants — taking into custody those who arrived for routine check-ins while also conducting workplace raids that have sent waves of fear across Southern California and beyond.

Large crowds gathered near a federal detention center in downtown Los Angeles Friday protesting immigration raids that had taken place throughout the city.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said President Donald Trump is “pulling a military dragnet” across Los Angeles during a brief public address on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump has directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities after large protests have erupted in Los Angeles and other major cities against the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Lauren Tomasi, a 9News correspondent, was reporting live when an officer behind her suddenly raised their firearm and fired a nonlethal round at close range.

The Trump administration faces a legal challenge to its deployment of the military to protests. Tensions flared after President Trump sent troops, and protests spread to other U.S. cities.

Tonight' host criticized the president for sending National Guard troops and Marines into Los Angeles: "Why would you send troops if there is nothing for them to do?"

The development comes a day after an appeals court temporarily blocked a judge’s order that directed President Trump to return control of the California National Guard.