Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Los Angeles has been a primary focus for United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since June 6 as part of President Donald Trump’s orders for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Masked ICE agents in unmarked vehicles have been raiding communities and popular areas across L.A. as part of their efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. However, they have also detained citizens as part of their process and have given little regard to the constitutionally protected rights of all people in the country, whether they are documented or not.
Their actions have created civil unrest across the city by those looking to protect the most vulnerable in the community with numerous protests against ICE. The National Guard, U.S. Marines and the L.A. Police Department have all been sent to try to control crowds, but that has led to further escalation.
During all this, the Los Angeles Dodgers have remained silent, which upset many fans. But on Wednesday, a Dodgers’ team official said they were set to announce a plan on Thursday of how they would help immigrants in the community.
But on Thursday morning, federal agents showed up at the stadium gates, and that has led to the Dodgers delaying their announcement, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs. But we are going to have to delay today’s announcement while we firm up some more details. We’ll get back to you soon with the timing.”
Protestors showed up outside of Dodger Stadium while federal agents were there. Shortly thereafter, the Dodgers released a statement saying ICE agents showed up to the stadium and requested access to the parking lost, but they were denied entry by the organization.
ICE responded by saying they were never at Dodger Stadium, and the Department of Homeland Security said the agents were with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), contradicting the Dodgers’ statement.
“This has nothing to do with the Dodgers,” DHS posted on social media. “CBP vehicles were in the parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.”
Both ICE and CBP are federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security, which is headed by Kristi Noem, a far-right Trump appointee.
Due to the federal agents hiding their identities and using unmarked vehicles, it’s difficult to verify who the agents actually were and what their purpose was as both sides have said the other is lying.
California is currently considering a bill that would require law enforcement officials to show their faces and be identifiable by their uniform.
Kiké Hernández & Dodgers broadcasters speak out
To this point, Kiké Hernández is the lone member of the Dodgers to have addressed the matter. Former Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster Jaime Jarrín also shared a message on social media, and so too did SportsNet LA analyst Adrián González.
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