U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were seen assembling near Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, leading the stadium’s ownership to request their departure. Clad in tactical gear and with most obscuring their faces, the federal agents utilized the stadium grounds as a staging area before dispersing into the adjacent neighborhoods.
Los Angeles city officials notified the Dodgers about ICE’s presence, prompting the organization to take action. By 11 a.m. local time, only a handful of agents remained at the venue.
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez communicated with local authorities and Dodger security about the situation, aiming to ensure the agents left the private property.
The Dodgers confirmed in a statement on Thursday that they had denied ICE agents entry to their parking lots after a request was made. “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,” the team stated on X, adding that the game would proceed as planned.
Historically, the Dodgers have maintained a low profile regarding the ICE operations in Los Angeles. However, this recent action might indicate the team’s intention to eventually take a stance, with reports from the Los Angeles Times suggesting upcoming initiatives to assist immigrant communities affected by the raids.
In a separate but related incident, singer Nezza ignored the team’s alleged request to perform the National Anthem in English, opting instead to sing it in Spanish during a game against the San Francisco Giants. “I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente,” she stated. Nezza expressed regret about the situation, humorously noting, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.” The Dodgers later released a statement indicating there were “no hard feelings” and welcomed her return.
The Dodgers’ decision to address the situation contrasts sharply with comments made by GOP strategist Mike Madrid, who declared that critiques of the team may have been premature. He remarked, “This is a big move by a major organization with a global brand. Haven’t seen this from any comparable entity.”
Conservative sports commentator Clay Travis provoked backlash by suggesting it would be “amazing” if ICE executed a raid at Dodger Stadium, reflecting polarized views on the ongoing immigrant rights discourse.
ICE’s recent raids in Los Angeles ignited substantial protests, leading to demonstrations across the country. President Trump responded to the unrest by deploying the National Guard and additional federal troops to the city, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that implementing a curfew in certain areas, combined with proactive crime prevention measures, has effectively mitigated violent confrontations between protesters and federal agents. “The curfew, coupled with ongoing crime prevention efforts, have been largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community,” she said in a press release on Tuesday.