ICE Arrests at Home Depot Parking Lots
In 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants, particularly those with outstanding deportation orders, at locations frequented by day laborers such as Home Depot parking lots. These sites have become hotspots for "collateral arrests"—where ICE agents detain individuals during operations aimed at higher-priority targets, but end up apprehending others, including those already under final removal orders. The Trump administration's push to meet aggressive deportation quotas (aiming for millions annually) has led to these tactics, often criticized for relying on racial profiling and disrupting communities.
Key incidents include:
Los Angeles Area Raids (August 2025): ICE conducted multiple sweeps in Westlake and other LA neighborhoods, arresting over 100 undocumented day laborers outside Home Depot stores. Agents used unmarked vans and plainclothes officers, leading to chaotic scenes where workers were detained en masse. Many had prior deportation orders for failing to appear in court or visa overstays. A federal judge initially restricted these "roving patrols" due to unconstitutional practices, but the Supreme Court lifted the injunction in September 2025, allowing operations to resume. Videos from the Westlake Home Depot raid showed agents handcuffing workers mid-job hunt, sparking protests.
Nationwide Expansion (September–October 2025): Similar arrests occurred in cities like San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston. In San Francisco, Border Patrol (coordinating with ICE) targeted Home Depot lots as part of a broader crackdown, detaining dozens with deportation warrants. Reports indicate at least 50–70% of those arrested had existing removal orders, often from years prior. Advocacy groups like the ACLU have sued, alleging violations of due process, but enforcement continues amid administration pressure.
These operations have emptied parking lots in affected areas, with day laborers avoiding them out of fear, impacting construction and landscaping sectors. Home Depot has faced backlash for not intervening, though the company claims it cannot control public spaces.
ICE Arrest at Court Hearing with Deportation Order
A notable tactic emerging in 2025 involves ICE dismissing immigration cases during hearings—often at the government's request—to bypass protections, then immediately arresting individuals outside the courthouse if they have deport