US President Donald Trump has reportedly sent more American troops to the city of Los Angeles (LA) in California– to curb the protests against his harsh immigration policies — than those deployed in Iraq and Syria by Washington. The Republican leader has deployed around 4,000 National Guard personnel and over 700 active duty Marines in LA to counter protests ignited over a sudden escalation in efforts to apprehend migrants who were in the country illegally.

“There are 4,800 activated Guard and Marine personnel in LA, compared to the 2,500 troops in Iraq and 1,500 in Syria,” according to an ABC News report.

According to the Pentagon, the deployment in LA will cost taxpayers $134 million over 60 days.

The unrest in LA began on June 6 after United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began mass detentions of undocumented migrants. By the evening of June 7, the authorities had reportedly arrested at least 44 people on suspicion of immigration violations.