On Friday morning, federal agents conducted immigration raids outside a Home Depot in Van Nuys, raising significant concerns about potential violations of a court order that prohibits the use of racial profiling during immigration enforcement. The operations, which occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. and again at 11:50 a.m., targeted day laborers outside the store located on Roscoe Boulevard. According to Maegan Ortiz, the executive director of the Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, which operates a resource center for day laborers adjacent to the Home Depot, these actions have sparked outrage and fear among the local community.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees both Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed the operations in a statement, describing them as “targeted immigration raids.” These raids resulted in the arrests of seven undocumented immigrants, hailing from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, stated that four of the arrested individuals had prior criminal records, which included offenses such as driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, and previous removal orders.
“What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S. — not their skin color, race, or ethnicity,” McLaughlin emphasized. She asserted that federal agents are focused on removing individuals with serious criminal histories from communities in California.
According to Ortiz, the situation escalated when unmarked white vans began circling the parking lot, and immigration agents started detaining individuals before requesting identification. Her organization confirmed that at least ten people were apprehended during the raids. Ortiz expressed concern, stating, “The agents came straight for the day labor center. It is very clear they are targeting day laborers and they are targeting the organization.” Adding to the tension, Ortiz noted that immigration agents conducted another raid near a Home Depot in Cypress Park on Saturday, resulting in additional arrests.
In a significant legal development, a U.S. district judge had previously issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on July 11, blocking federal agents in Southern and Central California from targeting individuals based on race, language, vocation, or location without reasonable suspicion of illegal status. Immigration advocates had believed this order would significantly limit indiscriminate stops at locations frequented by day laborers, such as Home Depots and car washes.
“This is a clear violation of the TRO,” Ortiz remarked regarding the recent raids, suggesting that these actions could be viewed as contempt of court. The TRO was upheld by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals just last week, but the Trump administration has since appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the ruling undermines immigration enforcement in California.
Following the issuance of the TRO, Southern California experienced a notable decline in the number of undocumented arrests. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that immigration enforcement operations are gaining momentum again, with reports of federal agents targeting additional locations, including a car wash in Lakewood and another Home Depot in Hollywood.
In response to the increased raids, local protests erupted at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, leading the LAPD to declare an unlawful assembly due to the aggressive nature of demonstrators. Mayor Karen Bass expressed her concerns regarding the legality of these operations and instructed City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto to investigate potential violations of the court order.
“Rounding people up who are just trying to work and put food on the table doesn’t make anyone safer,” Mayor Bass stated. “The City is investigating and exploring all legal options.” At a news conference, City Attorney Feldstein Soto noted that evidence from the Westlake raid suggested a potential violation of the TRO, yet investigations are ongoing.
Bovino, the U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief, defended the legality of the ongoing raids, asserting that agents abide by all laws, including the TRO. He described the operation as a targeted effort based on intelligence rather than a random sweep, stating, “We’re not going to ignore criminal activity.”
The recent immigration raids at the Van Nuys Home Depot have ignited a contentious debate about the legality and ethics of federal enforcement actions. As community members voice their fears and legal challenges unfold, the implications of these operations on the lives of undocumented immigrants and their families remain a critical issue in Los Angeles and beyond.
