LA Home Depot Subjected to Two Raids in a Single Day, Sparking Controversy Over ICE's Alleged Disregard for Court Orders
In a contentious turn of events, federal raids on day laborers outside a Home Depot in Van Nuys, California, on August 8, 2025, have sparked controversy over allegations of racial profiling in immigration arrests. Activists and community leaders argue that the raids violate a temporary restraining order (TRO) banning racial profiling in immigration arrests in Southern and Central California.
The TRO prohibits government agents from stopping individuals based on racial profiling and requires that detained individuals have access to legal counsel. Witnesses reported that federal agents, including Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol, conducted aggressive arrests—pulling people over first and asking for IDs later—and used force during the raids. This behavior raises legal and ethical concerns about racial profiling and violations of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Federal officials, however, defend their actions as lawful and in line with enforcement policies. Bovino, a Border Patrol official, claimed that Operation Trojan Horse was a targeted operation based on pre-intelligence. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the operations, calling them "targeted immigration raids."
Seven undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico were arrested during the raids. Of the 16 people apprehended, at least six had "significant immigration and criminal histories." Four of the arrested individuals had criminal records, including for driving under the influence of alcohol, disorderly conduct, and failing to adhere to previous removal orders.
City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto is investigating whether the federal agents violated the court's temporary restraining order during the Westlake raid. If the city attorney's office concludes that the order was violated, it may take action to identify the agents involved or push for stronger legal protections.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass expressed concerns over whether the Trojan Horse style action violated the temporary restraining order. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the TRO last Friday, adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court to end the judge's ban on 'roving patrols.' Immigration protests grew heated at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, leading to a declaration of an unlawful assembly by the Los Angeles Police Department.
There has been a significant drop in the number of undocumented immigrants arrested following the temporary restraining order, but there is anecdotal evidence that immigration raids may be increasing in Los Angeles. A Times review of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data found that the majority of people arrested in Southern California during immigration raids in June had no criminal history.
Maegan Ortiz, executive director of Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, stated that the agents targeted the day labor center and chased workers. The controversy continues to unfold as the community and authorities grapple with the implications of these allegations.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Federal raids on day laborers in California sparks outrage and calls for investigation," August 9, 2025. [2] CNN, "Federal agents accused of racial profiling during California immigration raids," August 10, 2025. [3] NBC News, "Community leaders demand investigation into racial profiling during California immigration raids," August 11, 2025. [4] Associated Press, "Federal raids on day laborers in California spark controversy over racial profiling," August 12, 2025.
- The controversy surrounding the federal raids on day laborers in Van Nuys, California, has led to accusations of racial profiling in immigration arrests, as activists and community leaders argue that the raids violate a temporary restraining order (TRO) banning racial profiling in southern and central California.
- The TRO, which prohibits government agents from stopping individuals based on racial profiling, also requires that detained individuals have access to legal counsel, raising concerns over the behavior displayed by federal agents during the raids, which witnesses report as aggressive and potentially violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
- While federal officials defend their actions as lawful and within enforcement policies, such as Operation Trojan Horse, based on pre-intelligence, city authorities are investigating whether the agents violated the court's temporary restraining order during the raids. If found to be in violation, the city attorney's office may take action against the involved agents or push for stronger legal protections.
- The six undocumented immigrants arrested during the raids with significant immigration and criminal histories have records including driving under the influence of alcohol, disorderly conduct, and failing to adhere to previous removal orders, adding to the ethical and legal concerns about racial profiling in immigration enforcement.
- As the immigration debate and protests intensify in Los Angeles, with the Trump administration seeking to end a judge's ban on 'roving patrols,' there is anecdotal evidence that immigration raids may be increasing in the area, despite a significant drop in the number of undocumented immigrants arrested following the implementation of the TRO.
