All events arranged for Saturday, June 21, at three municipal parks in Pasadena were abruptly called off as word spread of immigration agents, reportedly armed, descending upon Villa Parke and apprehending people en route to work. Pasadena’s Mayor, Victor Gordo, spoke out against this practice, stating that numerous individuals armed to the hilt arrived at Villa Parke, a short distance from a children’s playground, and commenced detention operations. Individuals were seized in broad daylight as they proceeded to purchase food before heading to work, he explained.
Mayor Gordo vehemently objected to these surprise as he deemed it improper for armed figures to appear uninvited and launch an operation unbeknownst to local law enforcement. Doing so, he suggested, posed a considerable threat to local police officers. A press release by city officials conveyed their discontent upon learning of these federal actions through viral posts on social media, where they saw citizens being apprehended.
Eyewitness accounts from Villa Parke that particular Saturday morning painted a chilling scene; a large, unmarked SUV and a second, darker vehicle pulled up near a food stand at the intersection of Parke Street and Garfield Avenue. It was around 6 a.m., with a soccer field close by. Reports indicated that ICE agents detained three individuals buying food at the stall, along with another person apprehended on the nearby Marengo Avenue. The total, thus, stood at four men.
By 9 a.m., the vehicles of the detained individuals were left abandoned on the street, signaling a swift operation. There were also cancellations of events at Robinson and Victory parks, mirroring the implicit sense of tension. Shock waves from these sudden arrests rippled through the relatively tranquil, blue-collar locale, causing residents to convene in their front gardens, sharing their disbelief.
Recounting the day’s events, Daniela Navin, a local resident, shared her grief. ‘It’s absolutely tragic,’ she said. The agents had been there in the same week, and their return hit close to home. She highlighted the unity and closeness of her community, speaking warmly of the park where she walks her dog, the local library, and how this sudden intervention struck a personal chord.
Later that evening, nearly 200 people assembled at the park to voice their objections to this unexpected swoop. A few protestors brandished Mexican and Californian flags as they held banners that advocated their cause – ‘ICE out of Dena’ and ‘Be a voice for the voiceless.’ This incident followed a similar early morning raid conducted on the previous Wednesday in the city vicinity, at Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue.
As per Mayor Gordo, six men were swept up into federal custody during the Wednesday raid, with at least two individuals plucked from a local bus stop, as shown in certain videos. Investigations were promptly initiated by Pasadena police following reports and video evidence that appeared to depict an agent, donned in tactical gear, getting out of an unidentified car and pointing a handgun at onlookers.
In a bizarre turn of events, the agent even aimed his weapon at a citizen attempting to capture a photograph of the distressing scene. Sources suggest that this agent hastily retreating into his vehicle, activated the siren, and sped away into a bustling junction. The detained men were transported for processing at a federal establishment downtown.
However, local representatives were turned away later that Wednesday when they tried to visit the detained. Heavily concerned, Mayor Gordo raised pressing questions on Friday about the number of individuals caught up in this situation without anyone advocating for their rights, and whether such actions were in line with societal and national values.
On the subsequent Sunday, June 8, protests took to the streets of Old Pasadena, pushing for the federal agents’ departure from the town and urging the city to reaffirm its sanctuary policies. The White House’s border coordinator, Tom Homan, argued that agents are obligated to carry out more arrests due to sanctuary policies hindering cooperation with ICE in certain cities.
ICE, responsible for enforcing immigration laws, requests assistance from state and local entities to notify federal authorities about immigrants slated for deportation and retain them until federal officers arrive on scene. President Trump has publicized his intention to concentrate enforcement actions on cities predominantly led by Democrats. Moreover, agents sporting masks have been found detaining individuals attending routine meetings and hearings at immigration courts.
Critics argue that many of the individuals detained or arrested in communities or while on the job either have no criminal history, are legally present, or hold U.S. citizenship. On the preceding Friday, Maywood and Bell, the latest cities added to Los Angeles County’s list, saw protests against the Trump administration’s strict immigration law enforcement met with violence.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a formal communique on Friday, announcing that lawful operations were being interrupted violently in Bell and Maywood, CA. An account of the incidents enumerated, a patrol car being rammed on Atlantic Boulevard and its tires slashed, along with a civilian wrecking a federal vehicle on Slauson Avenue that resulted in the vehicle being written off.
Amid this chaos, a mob formed and vandalized additional vehicles. A swift response by backup teams led to the restoration of order. One suspect was apprehended and is due to be presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on grounds of criminal prosecution. Both Bell and Maywood are exempt from the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles police or fire departments.
Despite the disturbing incidents, the diversity and unity of the community shine a ray of hope. Locals, despite facing fear and uncertainty, stand against these actions and come together in solidarity, raising their voices against the draconian enforcement of immigration laws. Their courage sends a profound message about the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.
This chain of events has left deep scars on the community, but it has also motivated stronger advocacy for immigrant rights. The community’s response—an inspiring testament to its unity and values—has allowed it to navigate these rough waters with dignity and sheer grit. However, the broader question remains of our collective responsibility towards immigrants and their inherent human rights, posing a deep inquiry into the sociopolitical dynamics of our time.