LOS ANGELES: On the fourth day of ongoing protests against President Donald Trump's immigration policies, 700 US Marines have been temporarily deployed to Los Angeles to help out the National Guard forces already in place. Meanwhile, California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, calling the deployment of the National Guard illegal. Key points 700 US Marines deployed during protests in Los Angeles National Guard expected to increase to 2,000 by midweek California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of illegal deployment Deployment details The US military deployed about 700 Marines to Los Angeles on Monday to help bolster security during ongoing violent protests against Trump's immigration policies. The deployment is temporary and is to help out the National Guard. The Trump administration has ordered the deployment of 2,000 more National Guard personnel, bringing the total number to more than 4,000 by midweek. However, the Pentagon has not yet invoked the Insurrection Act, which would allow the military to directly enforce the law. "A battalion has been sent, but the Insurrection Act is not expected to be invoked yet," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The situation is uncertain and subject to change." Background to the protests The protests reached their most intense for a third day on Sunday after the initial deployment of 300 California National Guard troops. The deployment, ordered by the federal government, drew sharp criticism from state leaders. Protesters have taken to the streets to protest Trump's latest immigration policies, including massive workplace raids and immediate deportation orders. The military presence has raised concerns among residents, who see it as a military response to civil unrest. California's legal action California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that the state has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, calling the deployment of the National Guard an "unlawful abuse of power" and a violation of state sovereignty. "We will not take lightly the president's abuse of power and the illegal deployment of the California National Guard," Bonta said. Trump's defense President Trump defended the move Monday "If we hadn't sent the Guard, the city would have been completely destroyed," he said. There were about 1,000 National Guard personnel in the city under federal orders as of noon, and the full 2,000 are expected to be deployed by the end of the day.