Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have turned Home Depot parking lots in Los Angeles into epicenters of fear for immigrants, especially after four raids in less than three months that have resulted in dozens of arrests.
With aggressive tactics, such as the use of tear gas and camouflaged trucks, ICE’s actions have generated criticism for alleged excessive use of force and possible violations of court orders. The immigrant community now faces the question: is it safe to continue to go to these places in search of work?
Intensive operations in Westlake
The Westlake neighborhood, home to a day laborer center next to a Home Depot, has been the scene of raids since June 6, 2025.
Last August 28, dozens of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents blocked Wilshire Boulevard, fired tear gas and detained between eight and fifteen people, according to the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network (LARRN).
Videos captured by witnesses show agents chasing day laborers and street vendors, with one documented case of a man beaten while being restrained.
Therefore, the community is on alert. “We are appalled by what appears to be an act of terror against Latinos who are just looking to make a living,” stated LARRN.
Activists charge that these actions violate a July court order prohibiting indiscriminate arrests without reasonable suspicion, a claim the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court.
The controversial “Operation Trojan Horse”.
On August 6, ICE executed “Operation Trojan Horse,” an operation where agents hid in a Penske moving truck to lure day laborers.
The driver, speaking in Spanish, offered work, only to have masked agents jump out of the vehicle and arrest 16 people.
The images, recorded by a Fox News reporter, were released by officials of President Donald Trump’s administration, generating outrage.
“This is not just a raid, it’s a trap designed to sow fear,” said Maegan Ortiz, director of the Southern California Institute for Popular Education.
As a result, many day laborers have stopped coming to Home Depot. Camilo Izquierdo, a local resident with legal status, warned, “The undocumented should no longer come here. Fear reigns in the community.
Since June, 2,792 arrests have been reported in Los Angeles, with a notable impact on the 30% of Latino businesses that have seen their revenues drop, according to community data.
Community and activist response
Organizations such as LARRN are demanding investigations into the operations, arguing that they pose a danger to public safety.
In addition, they have intensified “Know Your Rights” workshops, reaching more than 7,000 people in California this year.
“We recommend memorizing numbers of family members and designating someone you trust to watch the children,” said Vanessa Aramayo of Alliance for Community Improvement.
Local churches, led by Archbishop José Gómez, are offering shelter, food and legal assistance to those affected.
Uncertain future for day laborers
Border advisor Tom Homan’s announcement that raids will intensify in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York has raised concerns.
Nevertheless, ICE assures that its focus is on people with criminal records, although official data indicates that 52% of the arrests in a single day in January did not involve serious crimes.
This has led many immigrants to avoid public places, with a 40% decrease in foot traffic in neighborhoods such as MacArthur Park.
Meanwhile, day laborers face a dilemma: risk looking for work at Home Depot or seek safer alternatives, in a context where raids have transformed their daily lives.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
