Federal agents conducted raids targeting day laborers outside a Home Depot in Van Nuys early Friday morning, raising alarm over potential violations of a court order prohibiting racial profiling in immigration enforcement.
The operations were confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These raids occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. and again at 11:50 a.m.
Maegan Ortiz, executive director of Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, noted that unmarked white vans encircled the parking lot as agents began detaining individuals before checking identification. Her organization, which supports day laborers, reported that among the arrested individuals were ten workers, predominantly from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
According to Ortiz, the agents appeared to be specifically targeting the day labor center adjacent to the store.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin insisted that the operations were “targeted immigration raids” and stressed that the focus was solely on individuals illegally residing in the U.S., asserting that race and ethnicity played no part in their decision-making.
In a statement, McLaughlin emphasized that federal agents were removing individuals with serious criminal records, mentioning offenses such as DUI, disorderly conduct, and previous removal order violations.
However, the raids immediately drew scrutiny and raised questions about whether they conflicted with a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. district judge on July 11. This order prohibits agents from conducting arrests based on race, language, vocation, or location unless reasonable suspicion is present.
Ortiz expressed concern that these operations represented a clear violation of the restraining order, stating, “This is, in my opinion, contempt.”
The order received reinforcement from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the previous week, following a warning from advocates that it would restrict federal agents from indiscriminately stopping workers at places like Home Depots and car washes based on their appearance.
News of subsequent operations came after reports of another raid near a Home Depot in Cypress Park on Saturday, where at least six more arrests were made.
Announcing further federal enforcement actions, Ortiz reported that agents targeted a car wash in Lakewood on Saturday, also confirming a raid at a Home Depot in Hollywood on Monday.
In a highly publicized incident, Customs and Border Protection agents executed what was termed “Operation Trojan Horse,” apprehending day laborers at a Home Depot in Westlake during a dramatic display.
The crackdown incited strong protests at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where police declared an unlawful assembly after some demonstrators clashed with officers. Additional police units were called in for support after some protesters resisted orders to disband.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass voiced her concerns regarding whether the aggressive tactics employed during these raids were lawful under the temporary restraining order. She directed City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto to investigate the matter further.
Mayor Bass stated, “Rounding people up who are just trying to work and put food on the table doesn’t make anyone safer. The City is investigating and exploring all legal options. Our communities deserve dignity and to not be harassed.”
At a press conference, Feldstein Soto remarked that footage from the Westlake raid suggested violations of the restraining order were indeed taking place, though she noted the investigation was ongoing.
A spokesperson for Penske reported that the rental trucks were utilized without the company’s prior knowledge or consent, raising additional questions about the appropriateness of their involvement in the raids.
Despite the criticisms leveled against the enforcement operations, U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Greg Bovino maintained that the agents conduct their operations lawfully and ethically.
Bovino defended the legality of the Home Depot raids, asserting they were based on intelligence rather than random sweeps. He categorically stated, “We’re not going to ignore criminal activity.”
During an interview, he claimed that out of the 16 individuals detained in Operation Trojan Horse, at least six possessed significant immigration and criminal histories, claiming this was consistent with overall trends observed in similar enforcement actions.
However, a review of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data conducted in June highlighted that a significant majority of those arrested in Southern California had no prior criminal records. Of the 2,031 individuals apprehended between June 1 and June 26, roughly 68% were without any criminal convictions, and about 57% had never faced criminal charges.
In light of the recent raids and their implications, discourse surrounding immigration enforcement tactics in Southern California has intensified, stirring fears and demands for accountability among immigrant communities and human rights advocates.
As events unfold, the potential ramifications of these operations remain a focal point for local and national discussions regarding immigration laws and enforcement practices.
image source from：latimes
