Los Angeles was the scene of a tense situation on Thursday morning when federal agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were stationed outside Dodger Stadium. The incident, which sparked outrage on social media, triggered protests against immigration policies in the city.
The Dodgers, who denied federal agents access to the stadium parking lot, postponed their plans to announce initiatives to support local immigrant communities.
Due to today’s events, we are still working with the groups involved in our programs. However, we will have to delay today’s announcement while we define some details. We will contact you soon with the schedule.
Stan Kasten, Dodgers President
Around 8 a.m., a caravan of white, unmarked vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) arrived at Gate A of Dodger Stadium, on Vin Scully Avenue. According to local media reports and eyewitness accounts, the agents claimed to have detainees to process.
The security guard on site informed the officers that they were not allowed access to the private property. Federal officials moved to entrance E, which faces downtown and the stadium parking lot, where dozens of protesters gathered.Protesters gathered near masked federal agents stationed in front of a gate at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. The Dodgers stated that they were denied access to the federal immigration agents.
The Los Angeles Police Department subsequently arrived at the scene and everyone was dispersed around noon.
The game on Thursday against the San Diego Padres was played as scheduled.
Initially, the Dodgers posted on their X account that federal officials belonged to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the federal agency refuted their presence at Dodger Stadium.
The Department of Homeland Security clarified that the agents belonged to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which attempted to access the stadium.
Both ICE and CBP are federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.
Protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles began earlier this month, after federal agents arrested dozens of workers in the city. Protesters blocked a major highway and set fire to vehicles in the following days, prompting a police response with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.
Despite protests, immigration law enforcement activity has continued in Los Angeles, with city leaders and community groups reporting the presence of ICE in libraries, car washes, and home improvement stores. School graduations in the city have increased security for fear of ICE actions, and some schools offer parents the option of watching them via live streams.
