LANSING, Mich. (June 11, 2025) — Today, Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) issued the following statement after a weekend of widespread raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, which resulted in President Donald Trump activating the California National Guard and the United States Marines to the city of Los Angeles without request, fueling distrust and dangerous situations.
The National Guard has not been mobilized without a governor’s consent since Selma, Alabama, in 1965. In addition, it should be noted that a President cannot legally mobilize the Marines against civilians without invoking the Insurrection Act — which has not been done.
“As chair of the Michigan Latino Caucus and a proud Latina myself, it is devastating to see what is unfolding in Los Angeles. Latinos contribute to the fabric of the American way of life, and the demonization of this community by the Trump administration is repugnant.
“Widespread raids by ICE officials — with people disappearing in broad daylight, oftentimes with no regard to an individual’s immigration status — show that the current administration is more concerned with stoking racism and fear than truly seeking a humane solution to fix our broken immigration system. In addition, this administration’s decision to activate the National Guard and Marines to push back against overwhelmingly peaceful protestors coming to the aid of their neighbors only adds to the fearmongering and division that have become commonplace for this administration.
“As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant with family in California, my heart breaks for the members of the Latino and the entire immigrant community whose families are being ripped apart. I stand with Los Angeles and the many families and communities who are being used as scapegoats by this current President.”