U.S. President Donald Trump can keep his deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to a court ruling, as protests against immigration raids look set to enter their second week in the strongest backlash since his return to power in January.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judge's order that had directed Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California.

Customs and Border Patrol confirmed it is providing "aerial support" to law enforcement efforts during the protests.

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles began with small demonstrations against immigration raids in the nation's second largest city.

Trump deployed 4,000 National Guardsmen and 700 Marines to LA against the wishes of Newsom and Bass. Newsom sued the Trump administration, saying they unlawfully "trampled over" California’s sovereignty when they federalized the California National Guard.

Trump is begging for a fight on this. He knows what he’s doing so far is working with the American electorate," one data analyst noted