Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration has caused a split in the White House, pitting the policy’s chief architect against politicians under pressure from farming lobbies. The president’s administration has been ramping up immigration raids to fulfil Mr Trump’s campaign pledge to carry out the “largest deportation program” in US history.

President Trump’s decision to pause most raids targeting farms and hospitality workers took many inside the White House by surprise. It came after intensive lobbying by his agriculture secretary.

Trump vowed throughout his campaign that he would conduct the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. The showdown with Los Angeles was inevitable.