Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom asked a court to put an emergency stop to the military helping federal immigration agents, with some guardsmen now standing in protection around agents as they carried out arrests.

Protests that sprang up in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids have begun to spread across the country, with more demonstrations planned.

The president defends his decision on using the military in the city before an audience at Fort Bragg. California officials blame the administration for inflaming tensions.