ICE conducts 4 raids in a Home Depot parking lot

The parking lot of a Home Depot store in the Westlake neighborhood, an area with a strong immigrant presence in Los Angeles, has become the epicenter of controversy after four immigration raids in less than three months.

The operations, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, have resulted in dozens of arrests, as well as strong criticism from community organizations denouncing abusive and discriminatory tactics.

Fourth raid in three months

Last Thursday, dozens of agents arrived in vans, closed off nearby streets and used tear gas against the immigrants they were trying to detain.

Witnesses reported scenes of chaos on Wilshire Boulevard, where street vendors and day laborers were running through the crowd as officers blocked exits and chased those in the area.

The Los Angeles Rapid Response Network (LARRN), which groups several pro-immigrant organizations, denounced that between 8 and 15 people were arrested and described the operation as an “act of terror” directed mainly against Latinos.

In a statement sent to EFE, they expressed their “deep concern” over the disproportionate use of force, even pointing out that a video shows a man being punched in the face while pinned to the ground.

Operation Trojan Horse”.

The migrant hunts are not over in California.

The latest operation on record was named “Trojan Horse” because the agents arrived hidden in a truck that usually attracts migrants seeking temporary employment.

“For those who thought that… pic.twitter.com/2XPLOiO1rq

– Patricia Janiot (@patriciajaniot) August 7, 2025

One of the most questionable operations occurred on August 6, when CBP agents arrived hidden inside a Penske moving truck.

The vehicle was parked in the area where the day laborers used to offer their services.

According to witnesses, the driver spoke in Spanish pretending to be looking for workers, and as he gathered several immigrants, more than a dozen hooded agents jumped out of the back of the truck to arrest them.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Trojan Horse” by the authorities, left at least 16 people arrested.

However, it generated controversy because it would violate a court order issued in July that prohibits indiscriminate arrests without reasonable suspicion.

Despite this, senior officials of President Donald Trump’s administration shared the images on social media as a defiant message towards the court decision.

A day labor center under siege

The parking lot of this Home Depot has for decades housed a day laborer community center, where immigrants – many of them undocumented – await offers of daily work in construction or landscaping.

Activists point out that this point has been the main target of ICE and CBP since they initiated massive raids in Los Angeles on June 6, when arrests were reported in different areas of the city.

The raids have not only spread fear, but have also sparked protests in defense of workers’ rights.

Local organizations insist that these are discriminatory actions that criminalize entire communities and put public safety at risk.

Fear in the immigrant community

Westlake neighbors say the climate of fear has intensified amid ICE raids at Home Depot.

“Undocumented immigrants should no longer be coming around here or near any Home Depot,” said Camilo Izquierdo, an area resident with legal status.

As he explains, the constant threat of arrest has changed the daily routine of hundreds of families.

Fears increased after Tom Homan, designated as “border czar” by the Trump administration, announced that raids will be intensified in cities with high immigrant populations such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.

For the U.S. Hispanic community, these actions represent a reminder of the constant risk faced by undocumented immigrants.

Advocates recommend knowing about the existence of court orders limiting arbitrary arrests and seeking immediate legal counsel if detained.

In addition, they stress that deception tactics, such as the use of undercover trucks, could constitute violations of rights that should be denounced in court.