US Immigration Agents Barred From LA Dodgers' Stadium: Team
The Los Angeles Dodgers said Thursday the club barred federal immigration agents from the team's stadium parking lot as a fresh wave of raids continued across America's second-biggest city.
The Dodgers, who have been criticized for their failure to comment publicly on the US government's immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, said in a statement the team denied access to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who "requested permission to access the parking lots."
"They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization," the statement said, adding that the team's game later Thursday would go ahead as scheduled.
Images and video shared on social media showed a line of unmarked trucks and masked agents at one Dodger Stadium entrance while protesters nearby chanted "ICE out of LA."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later clarified that the agents at the venue were from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not ICE.
"This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement," a DHS statement said.
The incident comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Los Angeles, which has become ground zero of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown across the United States.
The city has seen scattered violence but mostly peaceful protests in recent weeks, ignited by an escalation in federal immigration sweeps that have targeted migrant workers in garment factories, car washes and other workplaces.
Local media reported further raids across the city on Thursday targeting Home Depot stores, a home improvement retailer where day laborers often gather in parking lots seeking work.
In addition to the mobilization of ICE agents, Trump has ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines into the city in response to the protests -- a move opposed by city leaders and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a Democrat.
The incident at Dodger Stadium on Thursday comes as the reigning World Series champions have faced criticism for their response to the immigration crackdown.
The team has a heavily Latino fan base, with some claiming a sense of betrayal over the franchise's failure to speak out against the ongoing raids.
As of early Thursday, the Dodgers have made no formal statement in regard to the immigration raids across the city.
The team's failure to condemn the immigration offensive came under scrutiny last weekend, when Latin American pop singer Nezza defied Dodgers officials and sang the US national anthem in Spanish before the team's home game.
Speaking outside Dodger Stadium on Thursday after federal agents had left the venue, one 27-year-old fan among a small group of protesters told AFP she felt let down by the team.
"They've been very quiet since these ICE raids started, and I think it's very hypocritical of them not to say anything when the majority of their fan base is the Latino population here in Los Angeles," Paola, who asked only to be identified by her first name, told AFP.
"It 100 percent feels like betrayal. I was born and raised here, I've supported them my whole life -- for them not to come out and support us during these times is messed up."
Los Angeles Times sports columnist Dylan Hernandez has slammed the team's response to the immigration crackdown.
"The Dodgers boast that more than 40 percent of their fan base is Latino, but they can't even be bothered to offer the shaken community any words of comfort," Hernandez wrote. "How ungrateful. How disrespectful. How cowardly."
While the Dodgers have remained silent, the team's popular outfielder Enrique Hernandez lashed out against the raids in a statement on Instagram.
"I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city," wrote Hernandez, who is from Puerto Rico.
"This is my second home. And I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights." Los Angeles police stand guard as protesters gather in front of one of the parking lot entrances at Dodgers Stadium, where federal immigration agents were denied entry AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Business Times
3 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
VP Vance Says US Troops Still 'Necessary' In Los Angeles
US Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that the thousands of troops deployed to Los Angeles this month were still needed despite a week of relative calm in the protest-hit city. President Donald Trump has sent roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines, purportedly to protect federal property and personnel, after demonstrations over immigration raids. "Unfortunately, the soldiers and Marines are still very much a necessary part of what's going on here because they're worried that it's going to flare back up," Vance told reporters in Los Angeles. He was speaking the day after an appeals court ruled that Trump could continue to control the California National Guard, which would normally fall under Governor Gavin Newsom's authority. California officials have heavily criticized Trump over his use of the military, saying it escalated protests that local law enforcement could have handled. The demonstrations were largely peaceful and mostly contained to a small part of Los Angeles, the second-largest US city, although there were instances of violence and vandalism. "If you let violent rioters burn Great American Cities to the ground, then, of course, we're going to send federal law enforcement in to protect the people the president was elected to protect," Vance said, adding that Trump would deploy them again if needed. The Republican further accused Newsom -- a possible contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 -- and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of encouraging protesters. Newsom and Bass have both condemned rioting and violence towards law enforcement while accusing the Trump administration of manufacturing a crisis in the city. Bass hit back at Vance during a news conference on Friday, accusing him of openly lying and saying that local law enforcement agencies handled crowd control. "How dare you say that city officials encourage violence. We kept the peace. You know that the federal officials that were here protected a federal building -- they were not involved in crowd control," she said. Bass said that even when there was vandalism, at its height "you are talking about a couple of hundred people who are not necessarily associated with any of the peaceful protests." "Los Angeles is a city that is 500 square miles and any of the disruption that took place took place at about 2 square miles in our city," she said, accusing Vance of adding to "provocation" and sowing "division." Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants around the country. Outrage at the use of masked, armed immigration agents also sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas. Tensions spiked when California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was handcuffed and forcibly removed last week when attempting to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions during her news conference. Vance misnamed the senator when referring to the incident, saying: "I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question but unfortunately I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn't a theater." Bass reacted to the comment with outrage. "How dare you disrespect him and call him Jose. But I guess he just looked like anybody to you," she said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had said Padilla's treatment "reeks of totalitarianism," while the White House claimed -- despite video evidence to the contrary -- that Padilla had "lunged toward Secretary Noem." Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass hit back at Vance during a press conference, accusing him of openly lying AFP Tensions hiked when California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was handcuffed and forcible removed last week when attempting to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions during her press conference AFP
DW
10 hours ago
- DW
US updates: Trump admin slashes jobs at Voice of America – DW – 06/21/2025
Voice of America is the largest US government-funded international broadcaster and hundreds of employees have been laid off in a fresh round of firings. A top Democrat called it a "dark day for the truth." The Trump administration on Friday laid off 639 employees at US public broadcaster Voice of America (VoA) and its parent organization, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). VoA was established in World War II and aims much of its programming at countries under authoritarian regimes such as North Korea and Iran. Kari Lake, a former television anchor and Trump ally who serves as the senior advisor to the USAGM, said the cuts are part of a "long overdue effort to dismantle a bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy." Some 1,400 people have been fired at VoA and USAGM since March, Lake said. Many VOA staff have been on administrative leave since March 15 amid legal proceedings. Trump has attacked publicly-funded news outlets such as VoA and National Public Radio (NPR), claiming without concrete evidence that their programming is biased toward conservatives. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Welcome to DW's coverage of current affairs in the US and the second term of President Donald Trump. In addition to the latest news on the US, this blog will also bring you multimedia content, analysis and on-the-ground reporting from DW correspondents. Stay tuned for more!
Int'l Business Times
13 hours ago
- Int'l Business Times
ICE Detains Man Returning From Visiting Air Force Son Despite Holding a Green Card for More Than 50 Years
A longtime green card holder is facing deportation after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon returning from an overseas trip to visit his son in the U.S. Air Force. Victor Avila, 66, and his wife landed in the Bay Area from Japan on May 7, when Avila was held back while passing through customs. He was detained at the airport for several weeks before he was transferred to an ICE detention center, his daughter, Carina Mejia, told 10 News. Now, ICE has initiated deportation proceedings against Avila. According to Meija, Avila served time in jail for a DUI and drug possession charge in 2009. "Two misdemeanors. Served all his time, paid all he had to pay," she told the outlet. "Since then, he's been a good man, a hard worker. Hasn't gotten into trouble, not one time." Avila has been a legal resident of the United States since 1967. A father of four and grandfather of six, Avila has worked as a legal assistant for 15 years at Kiwan & Chambers, a workers' compensation law firm in San Diego. Coworkers describe him as compassionate and dependable, launching fundraisers and writing letters to support his release. Immigration attorneys note a growing trend of ICE detaining longtime green card holders for old, nonviolent offenses. A hearing in Avila's deportation case is set for July 15. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for Avila's legal defense. As of Friday, the campaign has raised more than $21,000, which his family hopes will help bring him home. Aung La N Sang is in Bangkok, Thailand for Martin Nguyen's bout at #ONEFightNight7 against short-notice opponent Leonardo Casotti. "The Burmese Python" will be working in Nguyen's corner as chief second this Saturday.
