The Los Angeles Dodgers say they denied entry to the Dodger Stadium parking lots for federal immigration agents that pulled up in a line of unmarked white vans and SUVs on Thursday morning.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, a procession of vehicles appeared to attempt to enter Dodger Stadium through the ballpark’s main Sunset Gate off Vin Scully Avenue around 8 a.m. However, they were prevented from passing through a security checkpoint leading to the parking lot.
The caravan then relocated to the stadium’s Downtown Gate near the 110 Freeway. Dozens of vehicles gathered outside a closed parking lot fence, according to witnesses, before many began dispersing.
Per the reporting of Terry Castleman and Jack Harris, with help from other Times staffers, several dozen protesters gathered near what remained of the agents later that morning.
Five agents — several covering their faces with gaiters and armed with pistols — stood between the vehicles. They did not wear identifying items or badges. When asked by a Times reporter which agency they were with, they said “DHS” and declined to comment further.
Eventually, police came to the scene and the agents drove away. The crowd of several dozen dispersed by the afternoon.
“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. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled,” the Dodgers said in a statement.
Responding to the team’s post on social media, ICE posted on X: “False. We were never there.”
The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, said it was Customs and Border Protection agents who were at the stadium, but not for an operation. “This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” the agency said.
At least two of the vehicles outside Dodger Stadium were believed to have been involved in an immigration raid at a Home Depot in Hollywood earlier in the morning, where several people were seen being arrested. Those individuals were brought to Dodger Stadium to be processed, according to a CBP officer.
The Dodgers have been under pressure since the raids began this month to make a statement in support of immigrants, the Times reported. The team also came under fire from some fans after singer and social media personality Nezza sang a Spanish version of the national anthem at Dodger Stadium in an act of protest against the immigration raids, despite being asked by a team employee to sing in English.
On Wednesday, the team said it intended to announce plans on Thursday to assist the immigrant communities recently affected in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, however, Dodgers president Stan Kasten said that announcement was being postponed “because of the events earlier today.”
“We continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs,” Kasten said. “But we are going to have to delay today’s announcement while we firm up some more details. We’ll get back to you soon with the timing.”
