On Thursday morning, federal immigration agents in a queue of unmarked white vans and SUVs attempted to enter Dodger Stadium’s parking lots, sparking online speculation about potential immigration enforcement at the ballpark.
However, according to Dodgers officials, the agents were denied entry to the stadium.
In photos posted to social media Around 8 a.m. on Thursday, a procession of vehicles appeared to attempt to enter Dodger Stadium via the ballpark’s main Sunset Gate off Vin Scully Avenue. However, they were unable to pass through a security checkpoint leading to the parking lot.
The caravan then moved to the stadium’s Downtown Gate, near the 110 Freeway. Witnesses reported that dozens of vehicles gathered outside a closed parking lot fence before dispersing.
Later in the morning, a group of about a dozen protesters gathered near the remaining agents, who were standing around three unmarked SUVs closer to the stadium’s entry gates but still outside the parking lot.
Five agents stood between the vehicles, some wearing gaiters and carrying pistols. They did not wear any identifying items or badges. When asked by a Times reporter which agency they worked for, they replied “DHS” and declined to comment further.
Eventually, police arrived and the agents drove away. The crowd of several dozen had dispersed by the afternoon.
According to the team’s statement, the agents were denied access to the Dodger Stadium grounds when they attempted to enter the parking lot.
“This morning, ICE agents arrived at Dodger Stadium and requested permission to enter the parking lots. The organisation denied them entry to the grounds. According to the statement, tonight’s game will proceed as scheduled.
However, both the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials responded to Thursday’s events via social media.
Responding to the team’s social media post, ICE wrote on X, “False. “We were never present.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Customs and Border Protection agents were present at the stadium, but not for an operation.
“It had nothing to do with the Dodgers. The agency stated that CBP vehicles were present in the stadium parking lot for a brief period of time and were unrelated to any operation or enforcement.
A Los Angeles Police Department source, who asked for anonymity to discuss internal matters, said federal agents had gathered near the stadium for a briefing but had left by the time images of the gathering circulated on social media.
However, at least some of the vehicles outside Dodger Stadium were thought to have been involved in an immigration raid at a Home Depot in Hollywood earlier that morning, where several people were arrested.
Emily Phillips, an Echo Park Rapid Response community member, sent The Times photos of two vehicles that were at the Hollywood Home Depot and Dodger Stadium on Thursday, as identified by their license plates.
Phillips also claimed a CBP officer at Dodger Stadium informed her that the agents were there to process the people they had arrested.
