By Brad Brooks, Jorge Garcia, Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -U.S. Marines were deployed to Los Angeles on Friday, the military said, in a rare domestic use of its forces after days of protests over immigration raids and as nationwide demonstrations were expected on Saturday,

About 700 Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines have been ordered to deploy to Los Angeles as protests continue.

“Constitutionally, as a nation, we do not want to use active duty troops, deploy them against American citizens and others residing in our country. Because the impact is so negative. It makes it appear that the United States of America is a battleground,” Barthel said.

The spokesperson told CNN the Marines "have not completed [Standing Rules for the Use of Force] and nonlethal weapons training."

Approximately 500 U.S. Marines are “prepared to deploy” to Los Angeles amid rising tensions between protesters and law enforcement over President Trump’s immigration policies, according to a

U.S. Marines deployed to Los Angeles to help temper unrest in the city, stopped and detained an American citizen trying to enter a federal building.

The Marine Corps battalion deployed to Los Angeles has finished its training for duty at the Los Angeles protests and could be deployed by Friday, according to the Department of Defense.The 700 Marines,