LA Dodgers Deny Entry to Agents During Immigration Enforcement Push
In an unusual incident that has sparked confusion and conflicting accounts, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization stated it denied entry to federal agents attempting to access Dodger Stadium grounds on Thursday. The event unfolded amidst heightened tensions over increased immigration enforcement actions and associated protests across Los Angeles.
According to a statement released by the Dodgers on social media, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrived at the stadium seeking permission to enter the parking lots. The team explicitly stated they “denied entry to the grounds by the organization.” The Dodgers also confirmed that their scheduled game for that evening would proceed as planned.
Conflicting Federal Accounts Emerge
However, federal authorities quickly offered contradictory narratives regarding the incident and the agents’ presence.
ICE Response: Directly refuting the Dodgers’ claim on X (formerly Twitter), ICE stated, “False. We were never there.”
DHS/CBP Explanation: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided a different explanation. DHS stated that the agents present were from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not ICE, and claimed their brief appearance had “nothing to do with the Dodgers.” A DHS spokesperson added that “CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” leaving unclear the actual purpose of their presence.
Reports from the scene described dozens of federal agents in unmarked white vans and SUVs, some reportedly in tactical gear with faces covered, observed near the Gate E entrance and on the street leading into the stadium. Some agents reportedly identified themselves as “DHS” to a reporter present.
Scene Draws Protesters and Political Attention
The sighting of federal agents near the iconic stadium quickly drew attention and sparked concern among residents and activists already protesting against immigration enforcement. Several dozen protesters gathered downhill from where the agents were initially seen, holding signs and chanting slogans like “ICE out of L.A.”
Local officials were also alerted. Workers from Los Angeles City Council District 1 reportedly noticed the staging area and notified the LAPD, who in turn informed the Dodgers organization. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez arrived on the scene, expressing frustration over the agents remaining on the property and highlighting the power of private entities like the Dodgers to deny access.
LAPD officers arrived and formed a skirmish line to separate the protesters from the federal agents. The situation reportedly remained peaceful, with both agents and protesters eventually dispersing from the immediate area.
Adding further complexity, an anonymous LAPD source reportedly denied that the Dodgers asked police to remove federal agents before protesters arrived. However, the source confirmed the Dodgers did ask for police intervention after the crowd of protesters gathered. This source suggested federal agents had gathered near the stadium briefly for a briefing and had left before images of their presence became widely circulated online. A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom suggested the incident was an attempt by the federal administration to “strike fear” in the community.
Broader Context: Increased LA Immigration Raids
The incident at Dodger Stadium occurred against the backdrop of a significant increase in immigration enforcement activities across Los Angeles. These “sweeps” are part of President Donald Trump’s broader policy to crack down on immigration, with the administration reportedly pushing to accelerate the pace of arrests and deportations after being dissatisfied with previous numbers.
Los Angeles is one of several large cities specifically targeted by the administration for intensified operations. Reports of raids have circulated across the city, including one near a Home Depot on Sunset Boulevard reportedly occurring the same day as the stadium incident. The heightened enforcement has triggered large-scale protests, prompting President Trump to order the deployment of 700 US Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to the Los Angeles area to support the federal response to potential unrest.
Furthermore, White House border czar Tom Homan announced that the Trump administration would resume immigration raids at worksites, including farms and hotels, prioritizing individuals deemed “criminals.” This reversed recent guidance that had paused such operations.
Dodgers Under Pressure, Planning Support for Immigrant Communities
The Los Angeles Dodgers organization has faced criticism for its perceived silence on the ongoing immigration raids impacting the city’s communities. The incident near the stadium added further scrutiny.
Amidst this pressure, the Dodgers are reportedly expected to announce plans to provide assistance to immigrants affected by the recent enforcement actions. While no specific details have been disclosed, US media reports suggest this would mark the team’s first official initiative in response to the raids.
Adding to the team’s public stance, Dodgers player Kiké Hernández has been outspoken about the situation. He took to Instagram to voice his strong criticism, stating he is “saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city.” Hernández, calling Los Angeles his “second home,” condemned the impact on the community, saying he “cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart.” He emphasized that “ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights.”
The conflicting accounts of why federal agents were near Dodger Stadium, coupled with the team’s public denial of access and planned support for immigrant communities, underscore the intense political and social climate surrounding immigration enforcement currently unfolding in Los Angeles.
