Dodgers delay immigration announcement after federal agents seen near parking lot
Federal agents turned away at Dodger Stadium
Border Patrol agents were met with protesters at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. The Dodgers turned the agents away from the parking lot after they conducted an immigration raid at a Hollywood Home Depot.
LOS ANGELES - Protesters gathered outside Dodgers Stadium on Thursday after law enforcement was seen near stadium parking lots ahead of an expected announcement by the Los Angeles Dodgers about the recent immigration raids in Southern California.
Law enforcement spotted
What we know:
SkyFOX was over the venue just after 10 a.m. where there appeared to be at least four vehicles staged near Gate E.
By 11:30 a.m., a group of protesters were seen gathering near the gate in response.
SUGGESTED: From Dodger Stadium to Home Depot, multiple ICE raids reported across LA County
Dodgers respond
What they're saying:
In a statement on social media, the Dodgers said ICE agents requested permission to access to the parking lots, but the Dodgers organization turned them away.
The Dodgers said Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres would be played as scheduled.
ICE denies involvement
The other side:
ICE however, denies agents were ever there. In a statement to FOX 11, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs for the Department of Homeland Security, said that it was Customs and Border Patrol agents in the parking lot on Thursday morning. McLaughlin said they were there "very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.
Other sources from Border Patrol told FOX 11 that they used the parking lot outside Dodger Stadium as a meeting place Thursday morning, after one of their vehicles stopped working. The agents then carried out an immigration enforcement operation at a nearby Home Depot in Hollywood. After the raid, the agents went back to the Dodger Stadium parking lot to the car that had broken down. Officials said protesters likely followed them, but Border Patrol said Dodger Stadium was not targeted and agents were never inside the stadium.
All three agencies — ICE, CBP, and HSI — fall under DHS, but they maintain clear distinctions. The appearance of federal agents near Dodger Stadium just hours before a scheduled immigration-focused event has sparked public concern — even as the Dodgers affirm no enforcement actions took place on their property.
Border Patrol agents have been in the Los Angeles area for about a week, following President Donald Trump’s order to expand deportation efforts. CBP is primarily tasked with border and port-of-entry enforcement — so its presence in Los Angeles, far from any international border, is unusual.
Border Patrol speaks on ICE raids, LA protests
Border Patrol Assistant Chief David Kim spoke exclusively with FOX 11 about his team's work with ICE in Los Angeles.
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No Secret Police Act
What we don't know:
Adding to the confusion about which agency's agents were at the stadium on Thursday is partially due to the fact that all the agents wear masks that conceal their faces.
Recently, a bill was introduced that would require all law enforcement officials to show their faces and be identified by their uniform, which should carry their name or another identifier.
SUGGESTED: Proposed CA bill would ban officers from wearing face masks
Proposed by State Sen. Scott Wiener, the proposal seeks to boost transparency and public trust in law enforcement.
Dodgers to make immigration announcement
What we know:
The Dodgers announced the team would break their silence on the ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles, in addition to detailing how they will help support immigration communities.
SUGGESTED: Dodgers to announce plans to help immigrant communities affected by LA ICE raids
The Dodgers have been criticized for staying silent on this subject, especially considering their large Hispanic fan base.
LA Latinos urge Dodgers to address ICE raids
The Latino Coalition is urging the Los Angeles Dodgers to address recent ICE raids in the community.
Team president Stan Kasten said due to Thursday's activity, the announcement will be delayed. He released a statement saying, "Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs. But we are going to have to delay today's announcement while we firm up some more details. We'll get back to you soon with the timing."
What they're saying:
Dodger Enrique Hernández did share his thoughts on Instagram, however, saying he is "saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city."
SUGGESTED: LA man speaks out after wife, child detained during immigration check-in
"I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart," Hernandez wrote. "ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights."
SUGGESTED: Video showing ICE takedown of US citizen in Pico Rivera parking lot sparks community outrage
The backstory:
Ongoing grassroots efforts continue to call on the Dodgers to take a stand over recent ICE raids as the team has stayed notably absent from commenting on the matter.
The team itself says Latinos make up more than 40% of fans.
This comes days after singer Nezza's now-viral performance of the National Anthem in Spanish before the Dodgers game on Saturday, June 14.
SUGGESTED: Singer goes viral for singing National Anthem in Spanish at Dodgers game: 'I stand with you'
According to Nezza, she'd exchanged multiple emails with the Dodgers detailing her plan to sing the anthem in both English and Spanish.
But shortly before the performance, she said a Dodgers employee told her to only sing in English.
She chose to sing in Spanish anyway, a decision that resulted in a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Source: Information for this story is from the Los Angeles Dodgers, ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and previous FOX 11 reports.