As the Los Angeles Dodgers settled into the early days of their longest homestand of the 2025 season, the backdrop was anything but ordinary. The city of Los Angeles was roiled by federal immigration raids ordered by President Donald J. Trump, sparking protests and unrest across multiple communities. Against this tense atmosphere, the Dodgers found themselves in the spotlight—not for their on-field exploits, but for their silence and the growing calls for voices within the team to speak out.
The raids, conducted by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), had ignited a wave of national headlines and widespread demonstrations. In Los Angeles, protests began during a Dodgers game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park and expanded into the nationwide "No Kings" protests held on June 14, 2025, which coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C. This parade marked both President Trump's birthday and the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. Tens of thousands marched in downtown Los Angeles, expressing their opposition to the immigration enforcement policies and the militarized nature of the raids.
In the midst of this, the Dodgers organization remained notably quiet. Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Lon Rosen told the Los Angeles Times that the team would not comment on the federal activity, leaving players and fans to interpret the silence in their own ways. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, when asked about the raids on June 13, 2025, admitted to not having enough information to form an opinion. "Honestly, I don’t know enough, to be quite honest with you," Roberts said. "I know that when you’re having to bring people in and deport people, all the unrest, it’s certainly unsettling for everyone. But I haven’t dug enough and can’t speak intelligently on it." His cautious stance underscored the delicate position the franchise was in, balancing a diverse fanbase and the charged political environment.
Breaking the silence was Kiké Hernández, the Dodgers’ utility player born in Puerto Rico. Approximately an hour before the first pitch of the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on June 14, Hernández took to Instagram to express his heartfelt response to the raids and their impact on the community. His message resonated deeply in Los Angeles, a city known for its rich diversity and large Latino population.
"I may not be Born & Raised, but this city adopted me as one of their own," Hernández wrote. "I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. Los Angeles and Dodger fans have welcomed me, supported me and shown me nothing but kindness and love. This is my second home. And 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. #CityOfImmigrants." He also shared this message in Spanish, reaching out directly to the Latino community enduring moments of uncertainty and fear.
Hernández’s statement was notable not only because he was the first Dodger to publicly address the issue but also because of his history of speaking out on social and political matters. In late 2017, following the devastating hurricanes that ravaged Puerto Rico, Hernández used his platform to criticize the Trump administration’s response, urging the president to "show some humanity." Despite his criticisms, Hernández was part of the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series championship team visit to the White House in April 2025, illustrating a complex relationship between athletes and political engagement.
The timing of Hernández’s post was critical. As tens of thousands protested in downtown Los Angeles, his words offered a beacon of solidarity and compassion. His acknowledgment of the city’s embrace of him and his call for respect and dignity for all people cut through the silence surrounding the Dodgers’ official stance. It also highlighted the role sports figures can play in social discourse, especially in moments of national tension.
While the Dodgers’ organization maintains a non-committal public posture, the unrest in Los Angeles and across the country continues to challenge communities and institutions alike. The raids themselves are part of a broader campaign promised by President Trump during his re-election bid to conduct the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history." This promise has fueled fears and protests, especially among immigrant communities who feel targeted and vulnerable.
Dodgers fans and residents of Los Angeles, a city often celebrated as a "City of Immigrants," find themselves caught in this crossfire of policy and protest. The Dodgers’ longest homestand, intended as a stretch of focused baseball, has instead become a backdrop for reflection on identity, community, and justice. Kiké Hernández’s courageous decision to speak out may well be a turning point, encouraging other voices within the franchise and the sports world to reckon with the realities beyond the diamond.
As the Dodgers move forward with their season, the question remains how the team and its members will navigate the intersection of sports, politics, and social responsibility. For now, Hernández’s words stand as a powerful reminder that even in the face of silence, one voice can echo loudly enough to inspire conversation and change.
