The Los Angeles Dodgers have denied U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to the parking lots of Dodger Stadium, according to a team statement released on Thursday. The team claimed that ICE agents had requested permission to access the grounds, but the agency denied any such attempt, stating they were never present at the stadium. The discrepancy has sparked controversy and protests, as demonstrators at the site demanded the removal of ICE agents.
Protesters gathered outside the stadium after the initial reports of ICE agents being present, though the agency clarified that no enforcement actions were taken. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also confirmed that their vehicles were briefly at the stadium but emphasized that this was unrelated to any operation or enforcement. The situation has drawn attention to the broader tensions surrounding immigration policies and the role of law enforcement in public spaces, with local activists and the public expressing strong opposition to the presence of ICE.
The Dodgers are expected to make an additional statement later in the day regarding the protests and their stance on supporting immigrant communities. The team has also been embroiled in a separate controversy involving a singer who performed the national anthem in Spanish to protest ICE raids, facing death threats but receiving widespread support from Latin celebrities. Veteran player Enrique Hernández also expressed solidarity with the protesters, calling attention to the impact of immigration policies on the community and the need for respect and dignity for all individuals.
Other Los Angeles-based sports teams, such like the NWSL’s Angely City F.C. have also taken a stance, supporting the immigrant community through public demonstrations and promotional efforts. The events at Dodger Stadium have intensified the conversation around immigration and the role of law enforcement in civic spaces, with ongoing protests and public expressions of solidarity reflecting a complex and emotionally charged landscape.