In a distressed clothing business, employees discovered solidarity. However, ICE authorities made an appearance.
Ambiance Apparel's Turbulent History and Controversial Raids
In a city already simmering with civil unrest, Ambiance Apparel's warehouse in downtown Los Angeles became the epicenter of another battle – one between immigration enforcement and workers' rights. The business, which was among four raided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last Friday, left more than 40 immigrant workers arrested, family members bereft of contact, and the city on edge.
One of those left waiting was Saraí Ortiz, whose father, Jose, had worked 18 years for Ambiance Apparel, rising to become a floor manager. The raid that ended his tenure also saw the arrest of labor leader David Huerta, who was released on a $50,000 bond on Monday.
The protests that followed the raid were attended by other families of those detained, pleading for help and due process. Many of the wives and children, all men, had little to no contact with their loved ones. Even lawyers were denied access, they claimed.
The workers at Ambiance Apparel were predominantly from Zapotec Indigenous communities, having formed tight bonds as they began new lives in Los Angeles. They even helped one another secure jobs at Ambiance, a company known for its run-ins with federal law enforcement, but also providing steady work for immigrants.
It's unclear why Ambiance Apparel was targeted in the recent operation, but the company has a history of legal troubles that began over a decade ago. In 2014, law enforcement executed dozens of search warrants as part of an investigation into money laundering and other crimes at Fashion District businesses. Federal authorities seized nearly $36 million in cash from Ambiance and the company's owner, Sang Bum "Ed" Noh, according to a 2020 news release from the U.S. attorney's office in L.A.
Among the numerous charges filed against Ambiance Apparel and Noh were undervaluing imported garments to avoid paying millions in tariffs and failing to report large cash transactions to the federal government. Noh pleaded guilty in 2020, while the company was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to implement an anti-money laundering compliance and ethics program.
Despite these troubles, the company continued to operate and even thrive. Montserrat Arrazola's father, Jorge, is another of those workers detained Friday. As with many of the others detained, the financial strain of his absence could be felt most acutely by his family, particularly his daughter, who dreams of becoming a social worker.
But it's the pain of separation that hurts her the most. "He's a family man and he gives all his time to his family," she said. The inability to contact those detained is stressful for many families, leaving them waiting, speaking out, and demanding due process.
Background Check:
- Ambiance Apparel has faced significant legal issues in the past, including accusations of undervaluing imports, failure to report transactions, and money laundering.
- The federal investigations into these matters involved multiple law enforcement agencies. In 2020, the company's owner, Sang Bum "Ed" Noh, pleaded guilty to two counts, and the company was sentenced to five years' probation.
- Under current circumstances, the company was targeted in an ICE raid, leading to the arrest of over 40 workers and the subsequent effort by family members for their due process.
- The controversial Raids on Ambiance Apparel's warehouse in Los Angeles, California, have sparked outrage, as over 40 immigrant workers were arrested and family members are left bereft of contact.
- In the heart of Los Angeles, a city known for its general-news and crime-and-justice issues, Ambiance Apparel's history of legal troubles has once again made it a focal point of controversy.
- The company, which has faced accusations of undervaluing imports and money laundering in the past, is now under scrutiny by the government, including agencies like the law enforcement and ICE.
- Despite these legal issues, Ambiance Apparel continues to operate, providing employment for immigrant workers, many of whom are from Zapotec Indigenous communities in California.
- The government's actions against Ambiance Apparel have led to protests in the city, with families demanding due process for their detained loved ones and asking the entertainment and business community to intervene.
- The current situation, with the workers' arrests and families being denied access, raises questions about politics, immigration, and the Balance between enforcement and the employees' rights.
