Federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has entered a new and contentious chapter, as recent raids near several Home Depot locations have ignited a fierce debate over the limits of federal authority and the rights of immigrant communities. Over the past week, multiple operations have resulted in the detention of dozens of undocumented immigrants, even as a federal court order seeks to restrict how and why such raids can occur.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents conducted a dramatic immigration operation near a Home Depot in the Westlake District of Los Angeles. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the targeted raid—dubbed "Operation Trojan Horse"—resulted in the arrest of 16 undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The operation was anything but subtle: videos circulating on social media showed agents detaining individuals in the parking lot, with some agents emerging from the back of a yellow Penske box truck. Penske later stated that it strictly prohibits the use of its trucks for transporting people in the cargo area under any circumstances.
The DHS confirmed the operation, stating, "This morning, Border Patrol conducted a targeted raid, dubbed Trojan Horse, in Los Angeles at a Home Depot that resulted in the arrest of 16 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua." Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli shared footage of the event and commented, "For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government."
The operation drew swift condemnation from local leaders. The office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement criticizing the tactics as "un-American" and "terrorizing ploys." The statement continued, "The City is gathering information about these reported raids and considering all legal options. Tactics like this are un-American and we will never accept these terrorizing ploys as a new normal." Mayor Bass also directed City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto to investigate whether the operation violated a recent court order limiting immigration enforcement tactics in the region.
Just days earlier, on August 22, federal agents conducted two more raids near the Home Depot on Roscoe Boulevard in Van Nuys. According to Maegan Ortiz, executive director of the Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California—which operates a resource center for day laborers next to the store—these raids took place at 7:35 a.m. and again at 11:50 a.m. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that seven undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico were arrested, four of whom had criminal records for offenses such as driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, and failing to comply with previous removal orders.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, emphasized, "What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S. — not their skin color, race, or ethnicity." She added, "America’s brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapists — truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities." U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Greg Bovino echoed this defense, telling Fox News, "They're doing that again, legally, ethically and morally."
Yet eyewitnesses and advocates have raised serious concerns about the methods used. Ortiz described unmarked white vans circling the parking lot, with agents "grabbing people first and then asking people for ID." She asserted, "It is very clear they are targeting day laborers and they are targeting the organization." Ortiz’s organization confirmed that 10 people were taken during the raids and reported that similar operations occurred at a Home Depot in Cypress Park and a car wash in Lakewood, suggesting a broader uptick in enforcement activity.
These raids come in the wake of a July 11, 2025, temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong. The order blocks federal agents in Southern and Central California from targeting people based on race, language, vocation, or location without reasonable suspicion that they are in the U.S. illegally. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this order just a week prior to the Westlake raid, largely denying the Trump administration's request to suspend the ruling. The order specifically prohibits basing arrests on occupation, race, ethnicity, accent, or mere presence in a location.
Immigration advocates believe that these recent raids may violate the TRO. Ortiz was unequivocal: "This is a clear violation of the TRO. This is, in my opinion, contempt." City Attorney Feldstein Soto also expressed concern, stating, "We are very cognizant of the fact that that Penske truck seemed to be engaged in a lot of the exact behavior that the language of the TRO specifically prohibits." She indicated that the city is still investigating whether the federal agents' actions crossed legal lines and said, "Should the city attorney's office conclude that the order was violated, it may take action to identify the agents involved or push for stronger legal protections."
Federal authorities, however, insist that their operations are lawful and based on "pre-intelligence" rather than indiscriminate sweeps. Chief Bovino defended Operation Trojan Horse as a targeted action, saying, "We knew there was criminal activity afoot there for a long time, so we're not going to ignore criminal activity. We're going after it, and that's exactly what we did." He stated that of the 16 people apprehended during the operation, at least six had "significant immigration and criminal histories," a figure he said is typical for such raids, where 30% to 40% of those arrested have similar backgrounds.
Yet, a review by the Los Angeles Times of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data from June paints a more nuanced picture. Of the 2,031 people arrested in Southern California between June 1 and June 26, about 68% had no criminal convictions, and 57% had never even been charged with a crime. This data challenges the narrative that immigration enforcement actions primarily target dangerous criminals, suggesting that many of those swept up in these raids are simply individuals seeking work and stability.
Protests have erupted in response to the raids, with demonstrators gathering at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly after some protesters refused to disperse, citing the "aggressive nature of a few demonstrators." The city called in additional units to restore order, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the region.
As the legal battle continues, the city of Los Angeles is weighing its next steps. Mayor Bass summed up the prevailing sentiment among many Angelenos, stating, "Rounding people up who are just trying to work and put food on the table doesn't make anyone safer. The City is investigating and exploring all legal options. Our communities deserve dignity and to not be harassed."
With court orders, federal appeals, and public protests all converging, the future of immigration enforcement in Los Angeles remains uncertain. For now, the city stands at the crossroads of law, policy, and the lived realities of its immigrant communities, each raid a flashpoint in a much larger national debate.