The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to NBC4 Saturday that federal agents arrested more than three dozen people during an operation in June targeting multiple Home Depot stores in LA County.
A total of 37 people were arrested by CBP agents at three different locations on June 30, according to a DHS spokesperson.
“CBP arrested 14 illegal aliens during an operation near Figueroa Street, and 11 illegal aliens in North Hollywood, CA, and 12 illegals on Sunset Boulevard. Criminal histories of those detained include drug trafficking, firearm offenses, theft, forgery, DUIs, and battery,” wrote a DHS spokesperson.
The Home Depot location in the 5600 block of Sunset Boulevard has been the subject of at least two raids. An earlier raid on June 19 resulted in multiple people being detained, including a U.S. citizen.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez said those detained on June 19 were largely day laborers looking for work. He said it appears about 20 people were detained and that his office is working to provide them with legal counsel.
“I’m completely outraged by what’s going on,” Soto-Martinez said. “These are day laborers. These are people that our coming here every single day to try to find work. These are street vendors. These are folks that feed our community.”
The recent operations at Home Depot parking lots have sparked protests and backlash from community members who urged the home improvement giant to take a stand against the raids.
“We aren’t notified that ICE activities are going to happen, and in many cases, we don’t know that arrests have taken place until after they’re over. We’re required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate,” wrote a spokesperson for Home Depot.
Source: NBC Los Angeles