Update 6/19/25 5:25 p.m. ET: This story continues to get more confusing, because as I noted, Homeland Security specifically denied that they were conducting an operation at Dodgers Stadium, but the Dodgers also specifically said they turned down a request from ICE. Could the team have confused Border Patrol with ICE?
I just talked with CBP sources with knowledge of what happened today at Dodger Stadium:
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) June 19, 2025
CBP teams went to Hollywood Home Depot to make apprehensions. They did, they were going to transfer them to transport vans off Sunset Blvd, but when things escalated outside of Home Depot… https://t.co/tc6kDnLD8s
CBP teams went to Hollywood Home Depot to make apprehensions. They did, they were going to transfer them to transport vans off Sunset Blvd, but when things escalated outside of Home Depot they went to an open parking lot at Dodger Stadium to make the consolidated transfer. Agents say no one came over and told them to leave.
Original story:
As anti-ICE raids continue around the country, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a message Thursday for the law enforcement agency: find somewhere else to park.
This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2025
Earlier in the day, the presence of officers was noted by people in the community and photos and calls to action were circulated online:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were seen staging near Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park on Thursday morning amid reports of more raids being conducted throughout Los Angeles County.
Dozens of federal agents in SUVs and cargo vans, most wearing tactical gear with their faces covered, gathered near the Gate E entrance before heading out to various locations in the area.
Local elected officials told ABC7 that Los Angeles City Council District 1 workers alerted the LAPD of the staging near the stadium. The Police Department then notified the Dodgers organization.
Protesters have gathered at Gate E of Dodger Stadium where DHS agents have been seen staging since this morning. pic.twitter.com/U3JPXI1lhN
— Jeremy Lindenfeld (@jeremotographs) June 19, 2025
Interestingly, Homeland Security pushed back and said they were only there briefly and weren’t engaged in an operation:
This had nothing to do with the Dodgers.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 19, 2025
CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement. https://t.co/nsQ8LNaHbb
The team is expected to release a statement Thursday about how they plan to get involved in the ongoing situation. It doesn't sound like they're going to weigh in on the side of law enforcement:
The Dodgers on Thursday will announce their plans to assist the immigrant communities recently impacted in Los Angeles, according to a team spokesperson.
The announcement will mark the Dodgers’ first public comment regarding the recent unrest in the city since federal immigration agents began launching raids throughout the Southland almost two weeks ago.
The Dodgers initially declined to make any public comment when the raids first began. But their silence had become divisive among parts of their fan base, leading to increased calls on social media in recent days for the team to address what was happening around the city.
The Dodgers have been facing pushback from anti-ICE protesters who don’t apparently don’t believe in laws being enforced:
Before Thursday morning, the Dodgers organization had drawn criticism on social media for not commenting on the ongoing federal immigration enforcement actions in the L.A. area.
Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernandez wrote on Instagram Saturday: "I am saddened and infuriated by what's happening in our country and our city. I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights."
Social media was filled with angry posts like this one:
MAJOR BREAKING: In a massive blow to Trump’s deportation machine, The ICE agents who attempted to gain entry at Dodger Stadium have been REFUSED entry and have been escorted out by LAPD. Good riddance.
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) June 19, 2025
pic.twitter.com/vgr4oU38M3
The Dodgers don’t mind hosting anti-Catholic drag queens dressed as nuns, but they sure won’t welcome ICE. What a world.
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