In a recent operation dubbed “Operation Trojan Horse,” U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted an immigration raid at a Home Depot in Westlake, arresting 16 individuals, sparking fears of renewed immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
Witnesses recounted how a man driving a Penske truck approached day laborers gathered outside the store, ostensibly looking for workers.
Suddenly, more than half a dozen Border Patrol agents emerged from the back of the truck, causing chaos as many day laborers fled the scene.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concern over the raid, stating that observations from video footage indicate a return to tactics previously deemed racially profiling by federal courts.
“We are all trying to look into … exactly what happened,” Mayor Bass noted, highlighting her worries over possible violations of a federal court’s recent injunction against racial profiling by immigration officials.
Greg Bovino, chief of the U.S. Border Patrol’s local sector, reaffirmed their commitment to enforcement, warning that federal immigration actions are far from over.
In his statements, he suggested that the presence of MS-13 gangs in the area warranted continued enforcement actions, despite claims by advocates that the raided individuals were mainly day laborers and street vendors vulnerable to gang extortion.
Penske Truck Rental later disclosed that it was unaware its vehicle would be used in such an operation and that it strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its trucks.
Cesar, a day laborer at the site, described the moment the truck pulled up and the agent’s deceptive tactics in seeking out workers.
“They were observing people looking for a job for one day,” said Bass, criticizing the rationale behind the agents’ actions.
Another day laborer, Xochilt Soza, recounted the rapid chaos, noting the agents spread out quickly and arrested several individuals in a matter of minutes.
Videos of the event showed the agents using vans that could easily blend into the environment, a change from their previous unmarked SUVs.
This adaptation has sparked questions about the integrity of their operations.
Anna Cho, a member of the LA Tenants Union, was present during the raid and described the scene as chaotic and frightening.
The aftermath of the operation has raised significant concerns among immigrant advocates about the federal government’s compliance with the temporary restraining order imposed by a federal judge in July.
Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong’s order prohibits law enforcement from using race or other profiling characteristics as probable cause for detaining individuals.
City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez condemned the operation as a blatant disregard for this court ruling, pointing out that tactics employed by federal agents appeared to be continuing without consequence.
“Using a rental truck to round up people like cargo is a disgusting reflection of this administration’s total disregard for human life and the rule of law,” Hernandez stated.
Despite an ongoing court battle, allegations persist that federal agents have resumed aggressive enforcement practices that disproportionately target communities of color.
The ACLU, involved in legal efforts against such practices, has indicated that they are closely monitoring reports regarding the recent raids and may take action if further violations of the restraining order are discovered.
In the days following the Westlake raid, similar operations reportedly took place at other locations, further alarming community members and advocates alike.
This follows a troubling period of extensive immigration activities earlier in the summer, during which the sentiments of fear and uncertainty permeated local immigrant communities.
Critics argue that the latest actions are indicative of a broader pattern of enforcement that appears to aim primarily at vulnerable populations.
The nature of these operations, resembling earlier tactics criticized in court, leads advocates like Maegan Ortiz from the Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California to assert that such sweeps are targeting familiar gathering spots effectively.
“They’re trying new tactics,” Ortiz noted, highlighting concerns about the manipulation of community sentiments to enable arrests.
The continued enforcement efforts amidst judicial orders raises significant legal questions regarding the limits of federal authority over local communities.
As many immigrant workers continue to seek daily labor, they express sentiments of fear and apprehension in the wake of these raids.
One unidentified laborer voiced the emotional toll of the event on individuals in the community: “This is the worst feeling ever.”
Though one worker escaped that day, he described witnessing numerous arrests, further illustrating the anxiety surrounding such immigration operations.
The actions taken by Border Patrol during Operation Trojan Horse not only reflect ongoing conflicts between local and federal law but also resonate deeply within the lives of those most affected, often leading to life-altering consequences.
Mayor Bass, local officials, and immigrant advocacy groups are now faced with the task of ensuring that the rights of their constituents are upheld and that the law is respected, spurring demands for clearer regulations on immigration enforcement practices in the region.
image source from：latimes
