LA Dodgers weighing how to help immigrants after barring ICE agents from grounds
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Dodger Stadium is seen during a game in Los Angeles on June 19, 2025. Federal immigration agents were barred from entering Dodger Stadium after requesting access to the Major League Baseball team's grounds, the team confirmed. Photo: Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were denied access to parking lots outside Dodger Stadium on Thursday amid ongoing immigrant protests in the city.
Why it matters: The reigning World Series champions had come under criticism earlier this month for failing to speak out against ICE raids in LA and for unsuccessfully pressuring a singer not to perform a Spanish version of the national anthem at a Dodgers game.
The big picture: Latino fans — especially Mexican Americans — comprise a large percentage of the Dodgers' fan base, a trend that has been ongoing since the late 1980s, when Mexican-born left-handed pitcher Fernando Valenzuela played for the team.
- The initial lack of response from the Dodgers has angered many Latino fans who have protested outside the stadium and posted social media photos of ICE and Border Patrol agents near the Dodgers' grounds.
- Other LA-area professional teams, including LAFC and Angel City FC, issued statements about "fear and uncertainty" being felt throughout the city.
Catch up quick: The Dodgers announced on Thursday that they refused to grant ICE access around the stadium before their game with the San Diego Padres, another team with a large Mexican American fan base.
- "This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight's game will be played as scheduled," the Dodgers posted on X.
- That stalled the Dodgers' planned announcement Thursday about how the organization will assist Los Angeles' immigrant communities.
- "Because of the events earlier (Thursday), we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs, but we are going to have to delay (Thursday's) announcement while we firm up some more details,'' team president Stan Kasten said in a statement per KABC-TV.
Yes, but: ICE denied on X that agents were at Dodger Stadium.
- "False. We were never there," ICE posted.
- "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement," the Department of Homeland Security also posted on X.
- "This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios.
Between the lines: The Dodgers' "LA" logo on its cap has long been a source of pride among Latino fans and West Coast hip hop artists.
- As the protests broke out in Los Angeles, the LA Dodgers logo was spotted on protest signs next to Mexican flags.
Zoom out: Until the team statements, only Dodgers star Kiké Hernández, who is Puerto Rican, took to Instagram to express his support for the city's immigrants.
- "I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart. ALL people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and human rights," he wrote.
The intrigue: A group of activists, faith and labor leaders sent the Dodgers a petition on Friday, urging the team to speak out more.
- "Of the $752 million the Dodgers earn in revenue, an estimated $300 million is provided by Latino families -- 40% of the fan base," the petition said.
- "That is why we implore you to take a public stand against the indiscriminate ICE raids which are causing immense terror in our communities, hurting small businesses, and separating families."
What they're saying: "Dodgers security were champions this weekend. We pray that the Dodgers will stand with their fans, and their friends and family, who are at risk from these cruel workplace raids," Bishop John Harvey Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles said in a statement.
- "This is a moment when the Dodgers, a beloved family and cultural institution for 67 years, can take a moral stand and make an impact on the lives of vulnerable families in our region. Families are sacred," Joseph Tomás McKellar, PICO California executive director, said.
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