First civilian detained by US Marines during LA protests over immigration raids

The US Marines, whose deployment has stoked controversy in the country, have made their first civilian detention. This is the first known instance of detention by active-duty troops deployed by President Donald Trump to quell the protests in Los Angeles.

The incident occurred at the Wilshire Federal Building, where US Marines were assigned to safeguard the site on Friday, an uncommon instance of military involvement on domestic soil amid ongoing demonstrations sparked by immigration raids.

According to a report by Reuters, Marines apprehended the man, restraining his hands with zip ties and then handing him over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security.

Asked about the incident, the US military’s Northern Command spokesperson said active duty forces “may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.”

“Any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel,” a spokesperson said.

‘Just doing their job’

After his release, the man identified himself as Marcos Leao, 27. Leao said that he was an Army veteran and was going to an office of the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed a yellow tape boundary and was asked to stop.

Leao, who is of Angolan and Portuguese descent and gained his US citizenship via armed service, said he was “treated fairly” by the Marines.

“They’re just doing their job,” he said.

Are Marines not allowed to detain or arrest?

The 200 Marines and more than 2,000 National Guard now deployed to Los Angeles are tasked with protecting federal property and federal personnel. They will be joined by an additional 500 Marines and 2,000 more National Guard soldiers.

While troops are authorised to detain people who threaten peace, federal forces can only practice such authority after the police arrest individuals. Military officials are not allowed to carry out arrests themselves.

The Posse Comitatus Act generally forbids the US military, including the National Guard, from taking part in civilian law enforcement.

With inputs from agencies