Federal immigration authorities arrested 44 people across Los Angeles on Friday, according to a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations. The majority of those arrested were reportedly undocumented immigrants who worked at Home Depot stores.
Details of the Raids
- Agents arrived early in the morning and began arresting employees without warning or explanation.
- Witnesses described seeing agents wearing tactical gear and carrying guns as they entered buildings where workers were present.
- Others reported hearing loud noises coming from inside homes where families lived with parents who work at Home Depot.
The raids targeted locations near major highways such as I-5 (the Golden State Freeway) and US Highway 101 (Ventura Freeway). One witness recounted, "We saw our father being dragged out of our home by ICE agents while he was still asleep." Her mother attempted to intervene but was pushed aside by an agent who yelled, "Get back!" before dragging her husband away.
Community Response
Immigrant advocates claim that the number of arrests is higher than what was initially reported, and that many more arrests took place at various locations across the city. Protests have occurred outside several locations where workers believe their colleagues may be held after being taken into custody by ICE agents during these raids.
Broader Context
The U.S.-Mexico border has seen a significant increase in migrant crossings over the past year, with over 2 million migrants attempting to cross into the United States since October 2022, according to data from Customs and Border Protection. This surge has led to increased pressure on immigration enforcement agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In response, President Joe Biden announced plans last week to send up to $1 billion in aid for Central America’s Northern Triangle countries—Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—which are often cited as source countries for migrants crossing into Mexico en route to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Additionally, Biden announced a new asylum policy allowing some asylum seekers arriving at southern border ports of entry without prior authorization to enter if they can prove they have family members living legally in the U.S. However, this plan has faced criticism from immigrant advocacy groups who argue it does not address the underlying issues driving migration, such as poverty, violence, and lack of economic opportunities in Central America.
Home Depot’s Response
Home Depot did not immediately respond when asked whether any employees had been fired following Friday’s raid; however, it did release a statement saying, "We are aware that there have been reports regarding actions taken against certain individuals employed by Home Depot."
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