At least 20 migrants, most of Guatemala, were arrested during the raid carried out by agents of the Customs Immigration and Control Service (ICE, in English), in a Pomona commercial park, California, where they expected to be hired as day laborers, denounced on Wednesday, April 23, activists and witnesses.
According to local media, the raid – in which agents of the border patrol also participated – took place the previous Tuesday between 8.30 and 9.30 am, at which time the day laborers go to the place to offer their services as independent workers.
The migrants were surprised in the parking lot, since the authorities entered through the two entrances of the area, located in 2707 s Towne Avenue.
Witnesses reported that at least six vehicles without identification and two border patrol trucks participated in the operation. In addition, they indicated that, after being approached by the officers, the detainees were transferred in two other trucks to an unknown destination.
Representatives of the Organizations Economic Opportunity of Pomona and the Justice Coalition for Immigrants provided support to the families of the detainees and demanded their release.
Some witnesses said that most of those captured are Guatemalans and that among them there are also Mexican citizens.
We are here to demand answers and demand respect for the rights of those who only seek to make a living, said Alexis Teodoro, director of the Labor Rights Area of the Pomona Economic Opportunities Center.
He added that the presence of migratory agents in spaces frequented by workers in search of employment generates fear and uncertainty in the Latin community.
The activists reiterated that there is no evidence that the day laborers had committed some infraction, beyond waiting for employment on public roads.
The Congresswoman of Guatemalan origin Norma Torres condemned the operation and expressed on her social networks: the use of federal agents to chase workers outside a hardware store sends a terrifying message to all immigrants in our district. It is cruel, unnecessary and absolutely unacceptable. My office firmly supports our immigrant community. We will not stay with crossed arms while fear is sown in our neighborhoods. I demand CBP responses and work with local leaders to guarantee accountability and the protection of affected people. My office is actively working to confirm all the details of the situation. We are committed to providing precise and timely information as available.
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, the United States has reinforced antimigrant operations, which has resulted in thousands of deportations.
More than a doy day work detained when Ice Agents Swept Through a Home Depot Parking Lot In Pomona On Tuesday Morning.
“We are here. We are Human Beings. We’re Only Here To Support Ourselves and Maintain Our Families,” Said One of the Day Laborers, Who Narrowly … pic.twitter.com/6svo1abipc
– ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) April 23, 2025
The Detainment of Day work by cbp in pomona is cruel, unnecessary, and unacceptable.
My Office Stands with Our Immigrant Community – We Will Not Allow Fear To Take Root In Our Neighborhoods. I’M DEMANDING ANSWERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY. pic.twitter.com/5ofo31GPNX
– Rep. Norma Torres (@normajorres) April 23, 2025