In early June, the city of Pasadena became the center of a significant protest against federal immigration enforcement, as dozens of demonstrators gathered at the AC Hotel. The event was fueled by the presence of federal agents in town due to the Trump administration’s controversial mass deportation efforts.
Among those standing in solidarity with the protesters was Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, who witnessed firsthand the powerful display of civic engagement on June 7. Demonstrators wielded signs bearing messages like “ICE out of Pasadena,” vocally demanding the departure of the federal vehicles parked at the luxury hotel.
“Word got out that there were Homeland Security vehicles parked at the hotel,” Gordo shared with the Times. “People wanted to express their 1st Amendment rights, and they did so in a lawful, nonviolent, and respectful manner.”
After hours of spirited rallying, hotel staff ultimately requested the agents to vacate the premises. As the sun set, videos capturing the event showed uniformed agents from the Federal Protective Service, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, exiting the hotel with their luggage. Local police were seen escorting their vehicles out of the garage, with supporters trailing behind, cheering their departure.
Hotels have increasingly become focal points in the ongoing confrontations between community members and federal immigration authorities. It is common for federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to rent blocks of rooms in hotels for agents deployed remotely on major operations.
The incident in Pasadena represented a broader trend of citizens mobilizing at hotels across the Los Angeles area, applying pressure on hotel owners to deny accommodations to federal personnel amidst increasing enforcement actions. Many of these hotels employ immigrant workers for essential services, placing them in a complicated position regarding politics and employee welfare.
From Whittier to Hawaiian Gardens and Brea, residents have used social media and informal communication networks to disclose the suspected locations of federal agents. Protests have taken place at hotels in communities such as Long Beach, Downey, and Glendale as activists seek to remove federal authority from local spaces.
Employees at the AC Hotel in Pasadena refrained from commenting on the situation when approached for inquiries, with one spokeswoman not providing any immediate statement. On a recent Tuesday afternoon, the hotel atmosphere seemed to return to normal as patrons were seen enjoying their time, with the mayor confirming that no Homeland Security agents remained at the location.
Federal agencies, including ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. However, concerns have arisen about the possibility of retaliation and threats against federal officers’ families as some demonstrators share personal information about the agents online, leading to arrest and heightened tensions.
Acting ICE chief Todd Lyons raised alarms about the dangers posed to agents, revealing that social media postings have included personal threats to their families. This action has sparked fears of backlash against those involved in enforcement actions.
The grassroots movement to track and confront federal agents has relied heavily on online platforms, where unverified reports circulate about the movements of officers. This information is sometimes gathered from hotel employees, curious guests, or local residents who spot suspected agents or their vehicles in hotel proximity.
As the recent ICE operations unfolded, it became apparent that agents adapted to avoid detection. A reporter from the Times visited multiple hotels across three counties in Southern California, attempting to identify stays by federal officers, but none of the vehicles parked at the sites displayed any clear indication of federal affiliation.
At some hotels, staff members declined to comment, while others expressed uncertainty about whether any agents were present. One worker at a chain hotel in Anaheim admitted he had seen individuals he believed to be ICE agents but confirmed they were no longer on the premises.
“They didn’t bother anyone,” said the employee, requesting anonymity due to fears of potential repercussions. “There were maybe, like, a dozen of them. It was a little concerning.”
Hotel workers have recently experienced a whirlwind of political developments. On social media, President Donald Trump expressed concerns for the agricultural and hospitality sectors, claiming that strict immigration policies were driving away valuable workers from those industries. On the same day, ICE officials directed agents to avoid conducting operations at farms, hotels, and restaurants, seemingly offering relief to hotel employees.
However, this relief was short-lived, as the Trump administration subsequently clarified that all sectors, including hotels, remained targets for enforcement. This shift left employees feeling anxious about their job security and the possibility of federal actions in their workplaces.
At the rally in Pasadena on June 7, community leaders and activists expressed pride in the local response to federal government actions. Andrew Mark, a pastor at Pasadena Covenant Church, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of community solidarity in rejecting the presence of federal agents.
“There’s a deep pride in Pasadena,” Mark said. “So I think that for agents to be staying in a hotel here, you feel … a sense that we don’t want this to be a place where they can stage and go out and target people.”
Manuel Vicente, director at the Pasadena Community Job Center, noted the significance of the community’s efforts in the recent protest. Vicente, who produces content to educate migrant workers about their rights during immigration encounters, stated that the successful removal of agents from the AC Hotel was a collective triumph.
“When they were kicked out of the hotel, everybody was excited,” Vicente remarked. “It was a small victory, but our efforts made a difference. We need to be together to protect our community, to protect our workers.”
The protest at the AC Hotel in Pasadena symbolizes not only localized resistance against federal immigration policies but also highlights the role of community unity in defending rights and standing up for a vulnerable population affected by aggressive enforcement tactics.
image source from：latimes
