Jose Ortiz, a dedicated floor manager at Ambiance Apparel, witnessed his 18-year career with the fast-fashion warehouse abruptly come to an end on Friday when federal authorities orchestrated a raid. As the operation unfolded, his daughter Saraí watched in heartbreak, grappling with the stark reality of her father’s arrest alongside more than 40 other immigrant workers.
“Knowing this was a possibility all your life, you think you’re prepared, but it never happens the way you anticipate,” Saraí shared during a protest on Monday, her emotions evident as she stood outside the company’s downtown Los Angeles location.
The raid at Ambiance was part of a larger operation carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which targeted four businesses. This significant law enforcement action has triggered civil unrest over the weekend, resulting in the deployment of the National Guard and Marines in the heart of Los Angeles. Notably, labor leader David Huerta was also arrested during this operation but was released shortly thereafter on a $50,000 bond.
Families of the detained workers joined Saraí at Monday’s protest, collectively demanding assistance and due process as many have been left without news from their arrested loved ones. Wives and children of those taken by ICE, all of whom were men, expressed concern over their lack of contact and the absence of legal representation for the detained.
Many of these workers hail from Zapotec Indigenous communities situated in Oaxaca, Mexico, forming strong bonds after relocating to Los Angeles, where they often helped each other find jobs at Ambiance. Despite its troubled relationship with federal law enforcement, Ambiance has provided reliable employment for immigrants like Ortiz over the years.
Benjamin Gluck, the attorney representing Ambiance, defended the company’s hiring practices, stating, “Ambiance complies with the law when it hires employees and it has always only hired people it believes have the legal right to work in the United States.” He mentioned that they have reached out to the government for clarity on the recent raid but had yet to receive any information. Gluck reassured that Ambiance intends to continue its efforts to abide by legal standards and support the many employees who have been with the company for decades.
The exact reasons behind the targeting of Ambiance Apparel in this latest ICE operation remain unclear. However, the company has been on federal authorities’ radar for more than ten years. In 2014, federal agents executed numerous search warrants aimed at investigating alleged money laundering and other offenses involving businesses in the Fashion District. During this investigation, nearly $36 million in cash was seized from Ambiance and its owner, Sang Bum “Ed” Noh.
Federal prosecutors accused Ambiance and Noh in 2020 of undervaluing imported garments, thus evading millions of dollars in tariffs owed to the United States. The company, which was established in 1999, has been described by prosecutors as a textile and garment importer and exporter working with suppliers in countries such as China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Their products are sold to retail chains as well as smaller businesses, primarily in Mexico, and can also be found on platforms like Amazon and in Walmart.
In a series of charges filed in 2020, Noh faced accusations of failing to report cash payments made to employees through customers. Prosecutors claimed that Ambiance workers received around 364 payments exceeding $10,000 over a two-year period, amounting to over $11 million, none of which were reported to federal authorities as required.
In connection with these allegations, Noh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of filing a false tax return. Ambiance Apparel, operating under the names Ambiance U.S.A. Inc. and Apparel Line U.S.A. Inc., faced charges resulting in guilty pleas on eight counts, including conspiracy, money laundering, and customs violations.
Noh was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison in 2021 for his actions, which included intentionally undervaluing imported garments and avoiding significant duty payments to the U.S. government, as well as failing to report millions of dollars earned on tax returns. Prosecutors noted that Noh’s fraudulent activities generated an estimated $35 million in profits over a short span.
While Gluck argued that Noh and Ambiance treated their employees with loyalty and dignity, the judge’s ultimate ruling indicated the severity of the violations committed by Noh. The court determined the offense was not driven by personal greed, which contributed to a lesser sentence than what prosecutors had sought. Ambiance was sentenced to five years of probation and mandated to implement an effective anti-money laundering compliance and ethics program overseen by an external monitor, a requirement scheduled to conclude in October of this year.
Despite the company’s tumultuous history with law enforcement, Ambiance and its employees continued to flourish until the recent raid. Montserrat Arrazola, whose father Jorge was also detained during Friday’s operation, expressed that her father serves as the family’s primary earner. The loss of his income poses a significant threat to their financial stability, which is compounded by the emotional turmoil of separation.
During a moment of reflection, Montserrat described her father’s character, recalling a recent family outing where they all tried bowling together. “He’s a family man and gives all his time to his family,” she affirmed, highlighting the love and support her father provides.
The stress of not being able to reach those detained has affected many families deeply. Carlos Gonzalez, whose brother Jose was taken by ICE, articulated the anxiety surrounding the unexpected circumstances. Just the weekend prior to the raid, the brothers had shared a camping trip at Sandy Flat in Sequoia National Forest, enjoying a rare bonding experience. On Friday, following news of his brother’s arrest, Carlos rushed to Ambiance but could not find him amid the chaos.
Desperate for information, Gonzalez went to the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown but was told processing delays prevented him from learning anything about his brother’s whereabouts. The following morning, he attempted to deliver a sweater to Jose, concerned for his comfort in detention. Instead, he was informed that his brother had been relocated to Santa Ana, leaving him without any subsequent updates.
Caring for his brother’s dog, a large chocolate lab and pit bull mix named Coffee, has been part of Gonzalez’s efforts to cope during this anxious time. As the family navigates the uncertainty, they are working with a lawyer but often feel helpless in their situation. “I want people to know that this was inhumane,” Gonzalez said, reflecting on the reality of the raid. “They were just working.”
The plight of Jose Ortiz and other detained workers speaks to broader issues surrounding immigration and labor rights within the United States, particularly as families cope with the repercussions of these high-profile ICE raids. Activism and vocal opposition continue to surface as affected families demand justice, due process, and the reinstatement of their loved ones to contribute once more to their communities.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-10/los-angeles-ambiance-apparel-workers-ice-raid
