LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Immigration raids continued to roil Southern California Thursday, with the latest actions targeting Home Depot stores in the Hollywood and San Fernando areas and a car wash in Glendale -- plus a federal presence outside Dodger Stadium that drew a crowd of protesters and later a denial by ICE that its agents were, in fact, at the ballpark.
Thursday's actions followed raids by Immigration and Customs Custom Enforcement agents in Pasadena on Wednesday and in Pico Rivera on Tuesday, with the Pasadena actions drawing protests in that city and sharp criticism from Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena.
It was not immediately clear how many people were rounded up Thursday at raids that were reported at a Home Depot at 5600 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood and another at 12960 Foothill Blvd. in San Fernando.
ICE agents reportedly were also spotted outside Dodger Stadium, apparently in an effort to use the ballpark's parking lot as a staging area. According to a team statement posted on X, "This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight's game will be played as scheduled."
However, ICE later posted a reply on X, saying, "False. We were never there."
In addition, the U.S. Homeland Security department said on X, "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement."
After the events at the Stadium were shown on social media, a crowd began growing at a gate to the stadium parking lot, and Los Angeles Police Department officers eventually responded to the scene. The protesters reportedly chanted at the federal agents, but no incidents were reported.
The events in Chavez Ravine came on the same day the Dodgers were expected to announce team efforts to assist the immigrant community -- following growing criticism for perceived silence from a team that boasts a large Latino fan base.
Meanwhile, in Glendale, ICE agents also raided the Glendale Classic Carwash in the 700 block of East Colorado Street, one of number sites in Glendale that have seen sweeps in recent days.
A witness told a reporter at the scene that she spoke with the manager of the business who said he did not consent to agents coming on the property -- and that when he asked for a warrant, was told one was not needed.
According to one report, two workers were hauled off and one was later returned to the car wash.
Wednesday, at least six people were detained during the Pasadena immigration enforcement operations -- with day laborers who were traveling to jobs being detained, according to media reports.
Chu, a Pasadena Democrat, described the raids in a Wednesday statement as "alarming" and later that day visited the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, where reports indicated detainees had been taken.
She was there, she said, to "demand accountability and transparency, and seek answers regarding her constituents currently being detained, the circumstances of their apprehension, and whether they are being granted due process," she said in a statement.
However, the congresswoman said she was denied access to the facility by ICE agents "despite her legal right as a Member of Congress to conduct oversight."
In a statement Thursday, Chu also said video footage from the scene at Los Robles Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard appears to show ICE agent committing "serious violations of the law, aiming weapons at innocent civilians, driving recklessly through residential streets, and failing to present warrants or identify themselves."
"These chaotic and dangerous tactics put entire communities at risk," Chu's statement Thursday said. "And they make it clear that Trump's ICE raids don't just target immigrants, they endanger and affect all of us regardless of immigration status."
She went on to say, "These raids aren't targeting criminals, they're indiscriminately targeting workplaces, community institutions, and family homes. They're rounding up people who contribute to our communities and keep our economy running. I've heard from countless constituents who are sick with worry. I will not stop fighting for our immigrant communities and their right to due process."
ICE officials did not respond to a request for comment.
The Pasadena raids, according to witness accounts and immigration advocates, happened around 6 a.m. Wednesday near a shopping center, with two men apparently arrested at a bus stop at Los Robles and Orange Grove.
The Southern California News Group reported the men appeared to be handcuffed and surrounded by armed agents wearing face coverings.
Lisa Derderian, a spokeswoman for the city of Pasadena, told City News Service on Wednesday, "We are aware of several locations of enforcement activity in Pasadena this morning. We're reviewing social media posts, photos and video to see if we can get further clarification of who they are."
Derderian's comments came after Metro closed the Memorial Park Station "due to police activity" on Wednesday morning. The station later reopened.
Later Wednesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn -- who is chair of the Metro Board of Directors -- issued a statement saying, "The way that ICE is going about these sweeps is terrifying people. We have already seen kids not going to school, people avoiding shopping, church and even going to work."
Hahn also said she has directed Metro staff to report back to the board about Metro's protocols if ICE agents board a bus or train.
"I know the options will be limited but I want Metro to do everything in our power to protect our riders," Hahn said in a statement.
The actions in Pasadena followed raids in Pico Rivera on Tuesday that prompted a protest that included about 100 people later that evening.
ICE agents conducted raids at multiple sites in the city, including a Food 4 Less store on Whittier Boulevard and a Lowe's home improvement store in the 8600 block of Washington Boulevard.
It was not clear how many people were detained, but multiple media reports indicated that a man identified by relatives as 20-year-old Adrian Andrew Martinez was wrestled to the ground and arrested by federal agents for allegedly intervening in the questioning of another man.
"The city of Pico Rivera is aware and can confirm recent reports on immigration control operations conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs (Enforcement) within our city. These actions have, understandably, generated worry, fear and anxiety among many of our residents," the city posted on its social media accounts Tuesday.
"We want to be clear: The city of Pico Rivera and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are not involved, cooperating with, or supporting, in any way, federal immigration control operations. Our city maintains its steadfast commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their migrant status. Each person has the right to due process as guaranteed by the Constitution," the statement continued.
"We are deeply concerned about the tone and nature of these recent actions. Reports of aggressive tactics, arrests without warrants and operatives that appear to target specific communities raise serious doubts about the proportionality, justice and legality of the process."
The protest lasted for hours after news of the raids, with marchers traveling from City Hall to the corner of Rosemead and Washington boulevards.
Sheriff's deputies monitored the demonstration, but no arrests were reported.
The recent series of actions came as a federal appellate court ponders whether President Donald Trump or California Gov. Gavin Newsom will control the state's National Guard, which has been federalized by Trump and dispatched to the L.A. area, along with a contingent of U.S. Marines.
A San Francisco federal judge ruled last week that Trump's action was illegal and unconstitutional, but the appeals panel stayed the ruling and held a hearing on the matter on Tuesday -- with its decision still pending.
Trump ordered the Guard deployed to Los Angeles shortly after the violence broke out in the first weekend of protests after the raids began June 6, later adding at least 700 U.S. Marines to the area as well.
On Tuesday, the Department of Defense said the 49th Military Police Brigade would serve alongside the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and two U.S. Marine units under a central command, totaling around 4,100 soldiers.
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