Immigration sweeps in Southern California are ramping up, revealing distinct patterns in how federal authorities are choosing their targets.
Reports indicate that while some sweeps appear to focus on specific workplaces, others seem less systematic, with agents spotted at various locations, including a courthouse and library in Whittier, as well as Home Depot locations in Huntington Park and Santa Ana.
In April, unmarked vehicles arrived outside a Home Depot in Pomona around 8:30 a.m., where a crowd of workers had gathered.
Witnesses, alongside immigration advocates, reported that 10 individuals were arrested, although initial estimates suggested that up to 25 may have been detained.
The focus on Home Depot has become a hallmark of these operations.
Just last Friday, another Home Depot in the Westlake District of Los Angeles was targeted, underlining a clear pattern in these enforcement actions.
Federal officials have remained tight-lipped regarding their selection criteria for these targets and the duration of the crackdown.
U.S. border policy advisor Tom Homan insisted that immigration laws would continue to be enforced daily in Los Angeles, stating, “I don’t care if they like it or not.”
Aggressive tactics for the sweeps have reportedly stemmed from directives by Stephen Miller, a White House official advocating for a hardline stance against illegal immigration.
Frustrated by inadequate arrest numbers, Miller instructed immigration agents in late May to broaden their focus, advising them to conduct random sweeps rather than solely concentrating on individuals with criminal records.
Sources revealed that Miller suggested targeting Home Depot and 7-Eleven stores as areas where day laborers often congregate.
Local officials have expressed concern about the potential chaos these sweeps could create.
Orange County Supervisor Vincent Sarmiento commented on the aggressive tactics, noting the presence of heavily armed ICE agents.
He urged anyone considering protests to channel their efforts positively to avoid portraying the victims as villains.
Additionally, reports from Casey Conway of the Orange County Rapid Response Network indicated that ICE agents were seen detaining people in various locations, including a doughnut shop, a warehouse, restaurants, and gyms.
Conway mentioned that the organization operates a hotline, and numerous calls about the sweeps flooded in early that morning, prompting them to send representatives to verify federal activity at various sites.
Detentions were also reported outside a Home Depot in Huntington Park, where Mayor Arturo Flores criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement, asserting that these actions have nothing to do with public safety.
Flores stated, “Federal agents have entered peaceful communities and have arbitrarily targeted Latino communities and left a trail of destruction.”
The local government pledged to unite against the federal government’s actions, which they termed a campaign of domestic terrorism.
While many raids seem arbitrary, not all enforcement actions have been random.
In late May, ICE and Homeland Security Investigations agents executed search warrants at two restaurants in San Diego, prompting clashes with residents in the area.
Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for HSI, confirmed that the warrants were related to allegations of employing illegal aliens and providing false statements.
Four individuals were apprehended during the investigation, yet O’Keefe refrained from releasing further details due to the ongoing nature of the case.
According to a search warrant obtained by local media, Buona Forchetta was accused of knowingly employing undocumented workers using fake documents.
The complaint detailed an anonymous tip received five years ago, indicating that 19 undocumented workers had been employed at the restaurant under abusive conditions.
The ongoing investigation revealed instances of workers using counterfeit documents, including Social Security numbers, to gain employment.
Amid the turmoil, Buona Forchetta announced its cooperation with legal representatives to support its employees and families affected by the enforcement action.
The restaurant expressed a commitment to help its staff who witnessed or experienced the enforcement events firsthand.
Meanwhile, on Friday, another enforcement action was focused on Ambiance Apparel in downtown L.A.
Details surrounding this particular raid remain sparse as no court documents have been filed yet.
Benjamin Gluck, an attorney representing Ambiance, stated the company has always complied with legal hiring practices and was currently engaging with the government for more information regarding the raid.
He emphasized that Ambiance would continue to follow the law and provide support to its long-standing employees, many of whom have been with the company for decades.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-10/ice-sweep-targets-what-we-know
