Images shared by ICE on X show authorities arresting individuals, as troops stand by, appearing to guard the area around the operation – in other words, serving as a security perimeter. The caption read: “Photos from today’s ICE Los Angeles immigration enforcement operation.”

Former senior ICE officials who spoke to CNN couldn’t recall any time the National Guard had been involved in an ICE interior operation.

“Even if lawful, however, the idea of the National Guard supplementing ICE officers on interior enforcement is almost certainly a first,” John Sandweg, former acting ICE director during the Obama administration, said.