Background on the Situation
In recent weeks, immigration raids have been conducted in Southern California under President Donald Trump’s orders, aiming for “the largest mass deportation campaign in history.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the “illegal militarization of Los Angeles” and urged Trump to revoke the order. Newsom filed a federal lawsuit, claiming that Trump “illegally ignored” him by deploying the National Guard in an “unprecedented power grab.”
Dodgers’ Response and Plans for Immigrant Communities
On Thursday, Los Angeles Dodgers took a stand against the raids by denying access to ICE agents at their stadium. The day featured a baseball game against the San Diego Padres and a celebration of Black History Night, preceded by a celebrity softball game presented by Mookie Betts.
Dodgers President Stan Kasten had previously announced plans to assist local immigrant communities in Los Angeles. However, due to the morning’s events, the team postponed their official announcement to finalize more details.
Although the parking lot is not officially owned by the Dodgers, it’s still considered their property. The team was purchased by Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012 from former owner Frank McCourt.
Protests and Dodgers’ Statement
As news of National Security vehicles near the stadium spread, protesters gathered close to Dodger Stadium. The team reportedly contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, asking demonstrators to disperse.
Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts described the situation as “unsettling” but mentioned he hadn’t researched it thoroughly.
“I know that when there’s talk of rounding people up and deporting them, all the commotion, it’s certainly unsettling for everyone. But I haven’t looked into it enough to offer an informed opinion.”
Government Responses
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) account on Twitter stated that their vehicles were in the stadium parking lot “very briefly, with no connection to any operation or control.”
An ICE spokesperson told Huffington Post that no agents were present at Dodger Stadium and they never attempted entry, contradicting the team’s claims.
