Home Depot ICE Raids in Los Angeles Now Fuels Outrage

In a bold escalation of immigration enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a high-profile raid on August 6, 2025, at a Home Depot parking lot in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood, arresting 16 undocumented immigrants.

Dubbed “Operation Trojan Horse,” the operation involved agents leaping from an unmarked Penske rental truck, a tactic that has ignited fierce debate over its legality and ethics.

The raid, occurring just days after a federal court order banned indiscriminate immigration arrests in Southern California, has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders, advocacy groups, and legal experts who allege violations of judicial mandates and constitutional protections.

The operation unfolded at approximately 6:45 a.m. when a Penske truck pulled into the Home Depot parking lot at 1600 Wilshire Boulevard, a known gathering spot for day laborers seeking work.

According to witnesses, the driver, speaking in Spanish, lured workers by offering job opportunities.

As laborers approached, masked agents—some wearing tactical gear and one notably in a cowboy hat—emerged from the truck’s cargo area, apprehending individuals as they scattered.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the arrests targeted undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, but declined to comment on the operation’s compliance with a recent court ruling.

The use of a rental truck, typically associated with civilian moving services, has raised eyebrows.

Penske issued a statement condemning the unauthorized use of its vehicles, emphasizing that it prohibits transporting people in cargo areas and was unaware of DHS’s plans.

The company vowed to reinforce its policies with federal authorities to prevent future misuse.

Legal and Community Backlash

The raid comes on the heels of a July 11, 2025, federal court order by U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, which barred Border Patrol and ICE from conducting “roving patrols” in seven Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, due to evidence of racial profiling.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this order on August 1, citing unconstitutional practices such as targeting individuals based on appearance or occupation.

Mohammad Tajsar, a senior attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, expressed alarm, stating that the Home Depot operation “raises serious concerns” about potential violations of the restraining order.

Local advocacy groups, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network and Unión del Barrio, condemned the raid as a deliberate escalation.

Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the Network, called it a “dangerous assault” on immigrant communities, noting that day laborers and street vendors are vital to the local economy.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who previously voiced outrage over similar raids, reiterated her stance, asserting that such actions sow fear and undermine community trust.

The Westlake raid is part of a broader surge in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has prioritized mass deportations since January 2025.

Reports indicate that ICE arrests have tripled, with White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller pushing for a daily target of 3,000 detentions.

Federal officials, including Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino, have defended the operations as “highly targeted,” though critics point to a CalMatters investigation revealing that 77 of 78 detainees in a prior sweep lacked criminal records, contradicting claims of focusing on “criminal aliens.

”The operation also drew scrutiny for its theatrics. Bovino posted footage on social media, calling it “Operation Trojan Horse” and vowing that agents would not leave Los Angeles until their objectives were met.

The involvement of a Fox News crew, capturing the arrests in real-time, has fueled accusations of politicized enforcement aimed at garnering public support rather than upholding legal standards.

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Community Response and Ongoing Protests

The raid has galvanized Los Angeles’ immigrant communities, with groups like the LA Tenants Union and Unión del Barrio intensifying efforts to monitor ICE activity.

Volunteers have been patrolling areas like Terminal Island, a staging ground for federal operations, to warn residents of approaching agents.

Social media platforms, including TikTok and X, have become critical tools for sharing real-time alerts, with posts documenting the raid amassing thousands of views.

One X user, @StrikeDebt, called for community support to aid affected families, while @KarynCaplan
likened the tactics to those of white nationalist groups, highlighting the use of unmarked vehicles.

Protests have erupted across the city, echoing earlier clashes in June and July 2025, when ICE raids at Home Depots and other workplaces sparked widespread demonstrations.

The deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to quell unrest has further heightened tensions, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and local lawmakers accusing the federal government of overreach.

Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr., representing the nearby Paramount area, described the raids as “horrible” and urged state investigations into federal compliance with court orders.

The Home Depot raid underscores the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration strategy, backed by $170 billion in recent DHS funding to bolster enforcement, expand detention capacity, and enhance border security.

However, the targeting of day laborers—many of whom support the construction industry amid a reported 500,000-worker shortage—has raised economic concerns.

The Hispanic Construction Council warned that such raids could delay critical infrastructure projects, disrupting local economies.

Legal challenges are mounting.

The ACLU and Public Counsel, leading a lawsuit against DHS, argue that operations like “Trojan Horse” violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The detention of U.S. citizens, such as Job Garcia, who was arrested while filming a similar raid in June, has further fueled claims of overreach.

Garcia’s $1 million lawsuit against DHS, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, alleges unlawful detention and physical harm, setting a precedent for potential litigation stemming from the Westlake operation.

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What’s Next for Los Angeles?

As Los Angeles braces for potential further raids, community organizers are urging residents to remain vigilant.

The city, home to the largest Mexican population outside Mexico, has emerged as a frontline in the immigration debate.

Ron Gochez of Unión del Barrio emphasized resilience, stating, “Los Angeles is organized, and we’re not backing down.”

Meanwhile, federal officials show no signs of relenting, with acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli declaring on X that “there are no sanctuaries” from federal law.

The fallout from the Home Depot raid is likely to intensify legal, political, and social conflicts, with implications for immigration policy nationwide.

As advocates demand accountability and communities rally to protect their own, the Westlake operation has cemented Los Angeles as a battleground for the future of U.S. immigration enforcement.

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