In a recent operation, federal agents in Hawthorne forcibly apprehended a pregnant woman, raising alarm and anger in the community.
The incident took place near a crowded intersection where officials claimed they were conducting an immigration enforcement sweep. Local reports indicate that this operation, which follows several similar raids, targeted workers suspected of living illegally in the United States, echoing tactics used by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Videos from the scene show agents handcuffing Cary López Alvarado, the pregnant woman, while a growing crowd expressed outrage, demanding her release.
“Let her go, she’s pregnant!” shouted one onlooker, while a Border Patrol agent responded with shouts for the crowd to disperse.
The situation escalated quickly, prompting masked agents to take protective positions with less-lethal weapons. Families and supporters voiced their displeasure over the treatment of Alvarado, who claims she merely opened a gate for her husband when the agents arrived.
Alvarado explained to reporters that after being taken into custody for obstruction, she experienced severe belly pain and sought medical attention at a hospital.
This event has increased fears among Hawthorne’s residents, particularly because over half the city’s population is Latino and approximately 30% are foreign-born, according to U.S. Census data.
Hawthorne, once known as the birthplace of the Beach Boys, has transformed into a vibrant suburb drawing a diverse population, yet it is now facing growing tensions due to these immigration crackdowns.
Mayor Alex Vargas, recently elected, has not addressed the immigration enforcement measures directly and did not respond to inquiries regarding the community’s concerns.
In a direct response to the事件, a small group of protestors gathered a couple of days later, waving American and Mexican flags while cars honked in support of their cause.
The presence of Border Patrol agents has been alarming for many local residents, creating an atmosphere of anxiety.
Maria Perez, a 68-year-old Cuban-American citizen, expressed her sorrow over the incident. She said, “I cried when I saw what happened here.
I was hurting like everybody else, and now there’s fear not just here but all over the city.”
Ruben Esquivel, a 43-year-old neighbor, added that the raids had caused individuals to avoid leaving their homes altogether, stating, “People who are trying to make a living are scared to leave the house.
It’s horrible.”
Others in the community, such as Jimmy Butler, commented on heightened awareness in the neighborhood.
Butler remarked that he was distraught to witness the agents taking Alvarado and the two men into custody, questioning, “How do you take someone who hasn’t committed a crime?”
Father Arturo Velascos, a local priest, noted that the raids have raised concerns about church attendance on Sundays in his parish, which draws about 1,000 attendees for Spanish Mass.
He expressed uncertainty about the impact of the incident on religious gatherings, highlighting that undocumented individuals live with a constant fear of arrest and deportation simply for attending church.
Father Velascos has worked to reassure parishioners by holding workshops to educate them on their rights.
Meanwhile, members of the local business community reported direct effects from the immigration raids.
Gilberto Alvarez, general manager of a Denny’s restaurant, noticed a marked decrease in sales following the raids, stating he had expected a profitable week due to a neighboring diner closing down.
After the border patrol activity, however, his sales plummeted significantly.
Economic impact appears to extend throughout the area as workers call in sick out of fear of deportation, leading to a noticeable sharp decline in customer traffic at various businesses.
On the other hand, smaller stores have reported mixed results with some not feeling any significant impact thus far.
As a direct consequence of the chaos surrounding immigration enforcement, some individuals, including Sergio Hernandez, have begun contemplating returning to their home countries.
Hernandez, who has lived in the U.S. illegally for over 30 years, confided that the climate of fear created by the raids has left him anxious and reconsidering his options.
He, too, has faced economic hardship due to the presence of immigration agents.
Hernandez previously suffered a stroke that impaired his ability to work in his trades and has since resorted to selling used items at swap meets, but the raids have severely limited his ability to conduct business.
The number of customers has dwindled at the swap meet, with many stalls left vacant.
As he spoke, Hernandez noted the constant vigilance necessary whenever he left his home, stating, “Before you could go out and be out and about, you know — living life.
But now people are always telling you when they spot immigration.”
The uncertainty of when he might return to Mexico looms large, as he grapples with attachment to life in the U.S.
“I don’t understand,” he lamented.
“There are people living in the streets, getting drugged up and I’m here trying to work. Why are they coming after me?”
With ongoing tensions and fear permeating the Hawthorne community, it remains to be seen how the local dynamics will evolve and how residents will respond to continued immigration enforcement actions.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-17/l-a-ice-raids-scared-to-leave-home
