Home Depot, the most recognized hardware store chain in America, has become entwined in recent federal immigration raids across Los Angeles, sparking a wave of protests from the community.
On Friday, a Home Depot in Westlake was among several locations targeted by federal agents, who also raided Ambiance Apparel in the downtown L.A. garment district as part of a broader immigration crackdown that resulted in the arrests of dozens of individuals.
The focus of the arrests outside Home Depot was on day laborers who were working for the store’s customers, including contractors and homeowners who often rely on undocumented workers for various home repair and construction jobs.
These day laborers have played a vital role in rebuild efforts following the devastating firestorms that gripped Los Angeles County earlier this year.
The situation continued to escalate over the weekend, as a Home Depot in Paramount, a suburb south of Los Angeles, became the scene of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement.
In response to the protests, officials executed further raids at Home Depot locations in Whittier and Huntington Park on Monday morning, leading to social media reports of additional raids at Home Depot stores across Southern California.
A spokesperson for Home Depot asserted on Monday that the company had not been informed of these raids beforehand and confirmed that the corporate office was not involved in any of the immigration operations.
As the Atlanta-based company navigates this challenging predicament, the ongoing raids at its stores may deter customers, impacting its business and reputation.
On Monday, Home Depot shares closed at $36.20, reflecting a decline of 0.6%. Despite the turmoil, the company reported nearly $40 billion in revenue for its fiscal first quarter, showing a 9% increase from the previous year. However, net earnings fell slightly to $3.4 billion from $3.6 billion during the same period last year.
This incident isn’t the first time Home Depot has faced significant controversy. The company’s co-founder, Bernie Marcus, was known for his political contributions, donating over $14 million to support President Donald Trump’s first campaign and pledging financial support for his re-election. Marcus, who passed away in 2024, gained a reputation as a major Republican donor.
Back in 2019, protesters called for a boycott of Home Depot due to Marcus’ donations, prompting the company to distance itself from its founder’s political actions. Home Depot emphasized that he had left the company in 2002 and that his contributions did not reflect the company’s values.
Throughout the years, Home Depot locations have served as essential gathering points for contractors and those initiating home improvement projects, making them convenient sites for hiring day laborers.
The construction industry in Southern California significantly depends on immigrant labor, a reliance that has been starkly highlighted by the recent efforts to recover from fire damage in the region.
Jorge Nicolás, a senior organizer with CARECEN, a center for day laborers, described the high demand for immigrant labor, stating that many day laborers take on challenging jobs that are often overlooked.
“The majority of immigrant workers usually are used to help developers control construction costs and stay within the timelines that they have projected,” he explained. “Those are the extra hands that are needed.”
Nicolás was present in Westlake when Immigration officials conducted their sweep outside Home Depot. His center is conveniently located just minutes from the store, and he recounted a chaotic scene where even identified workers with legal status fled in fear.
“We felt powerless,” Nicolás expressed. “They’re not arresting motorcycle gang members. They’re not arresting international drug dealers. They’re arresting grandpas. They’re just arresting people that are very humble and looking for an opportunity, just trying to get a decent living.”
By Monday afternoon, the parking lot at the Huntington Park Home Depot was bustling, filled with nearly 100 cars and trucks, visibly contrasting with the earlier raid.
There were few indications that a raid had occurred just hours before, yet Bradley Cortez and his friends remained on guard in the lot. They arrived eager to lend support to the “hardworking men” targeted by immigration officials.
“I’ll put my life at risk because I’ve got papers. I was born here, so if I’m able to help somebody, of course I’ll help them,” said the 23-year-old construction worker who frequently visits Home Depot locations.
“It is a little scary being out here, but that’s what being brave is about,” he added. “Being brave is when you’re scared. And I’m being brave for my people.”
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-06-09/home-depot-in-the-crosshairs-of-immigrations-raids
