Undocumented immigrants, left to right, Hermelindo, of Guatemala, Victor, of Mexico, and Juan, of Guatemala, wait for day labor jobs at a Home Depot in South Austin Wednesday November 6, 2024.
Pomona, California – A recent U.S. Customs and Border Protection raid at a Home Depot in Pomona has raised alarm over the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigrant workers and its potential impact on the region’s recovery from the devastating January firestorms in Los Angeles County.
The raid took place on Tuesday at the Home Depot on South Towne Avenue, where dozens of workers, mostly day laborers, had gathered outside looking for work. Witnesses and advocates reported that unmarked vehicles arrived at the scene around 8:30 a.m., and a total of 10 individuals were arrested. Although immigration advocates initially estimated as many as 25 arrests, officials from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that 10 were taken into custody, including those with prior charges such as DUI and assault.
The raid has stoked fears among immigrant communities, particularly since Los Angeles County is grappling with a massive rebuilding effort following the destruction of more than 16,000 homes in the January firestorms. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that nearly 41% of construction workers are immigrants, with that percentage significantly higher in residential construction. Immigrant labor is crucial to the county’s rebuilding process, making this latest enforcement action particularly worrisome for both workers and industry experts.
Tony Smith, a political science professor at UC Irvine, warned that removing immigrant workers would severely hamper the rebuilding efforts. “If you take out all the folks from across Latin America who are here doing it, we’re not going to rebuild anytime soon,” Smith said. “There are not enough skilled workers in the construction industry to fill the gap.”
Immigrant rights groups immediately condemned the raid, which targeted workers who have long relied on Home Depot parking lots to find employment. Advocates argued that many of those arrested were simply trying to support their families, not engage in criminal activity. “These folks are not just working class, but really, really low income, and so this puts their families in immediate danger of homelessness,” said Ron Gochez of the Unión del Barrio.
Witnesses reported seeing workers flee when they suspected immigration enforcement was about to occur. “Some of them ran when they saw the government-marked vehicles,” said Gochez, adding that many families remain in the dark about the whereabouts of their detained loved ones. The confusion continues, as workers’ families are still trying to locate those taken into custody.
While the raid was not conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation, according to officials, targeted an individual with an active arrest warrant. However, the raid and its timing—just months after a historic firestorm—raise questions about its potential effect on the local economy and rebuilding efforts.
Local officials, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, have responded by offering support to those impacted, ensuring they are aware of their rights. “All residents, regardless of their immigration status, are entitled to constitutional protections,” Solis stated.
California Senator Alex Padilla echoed concerns, vowing to seek answers from the Department of Homeland Security. “Hardworking immigrant families deserve better than to live in fear,” Padilla said, condemning the raid’s impact on immigrant communities who contribute significantly to the state’s economy.
As the raid’s consequences continue to ripple through Pomona, local immigrant rights groups are calling on American citizens to stand in solidarity with laborers who are simply seeking a better life. “We are trying to make the call out to American citizens to protect us,” Palmira Figueroa, spokesperson for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said.
With the Trump administration promising further crackdowns on undocumented immigrants, it remains unclear how this will affect not only the future of immigrant labor but also the long-term recovery of Los Angeles County’s devastated communities.
