The ongoing protests in Los Angeles began with small demonstrations against immigration raids in the nation's second largest city.

Tensions are escalating in Los Angeles after protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement gripped the city on Sunday, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement and setting vehicles on fire downtown.

Customs and Border Patrol confirmed it is providing "aerial support" to law enforcement efforts during the protests.

California has challenged the administration's move to call up the National Guard over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom.

Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed after he interrupted a Los Angeles news conference on immigration held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Members of the L.A.P.D. in downtown Los Angeles. National Guard troops in riot gear surrounded a federal building. Protests started near a complex of federal buildings but spread to other areas downtown in the evening. Law enforcement officers were stationed around the federal complex all day.

Trump deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to LA against the wishes of Newsom and Bass. Newsom sued the Trump administration, saying they unlawfully "trampled over" California’s sovereignty when they federalized the California National Guard.

By Brad Brooks, Omar Younis, Idrees Ali and Tim Reid LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -U.S. troops in Los Angeles are authorized to detain people until police can arrest them, their commanding officer said on Wednesday,