MONROVIA, CA — What began as an immigration operation ended in tragedy Thursday afternoon when a man lost his life after being struck on the 210 Freeway while fleeing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Home Depot in Monrovia, about 10 miles northeast of Pasadena.
The Incident
According to City Manager Dylan Feik, local police received a report of ICE activity in the area. During the operation, a man ran toward the 210 Freeway, where he was hit by a vehicle.
Fire department crews and emergency personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed the victim was an adult male but has not yet released his identity.
Videos taken after the incident show the man lying on the pavement, leading some witnesses to initially believe it was a motorcycle accident.
ICE Denies Direct Pursuit
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that “this individual was not being pursued by any agent” and that they were not notified of the accident by CHP until hours after the operation. However, witnesses and community advocates claim the raids were aggressive and that several workers fled the area.
Palmira Figueroa, spokesperson for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said 13 workers were detained: “It was a violent and aggressive operation. Some agents even chased workers in vehicles.”
State Assemblymember John Harabedian, whose district includes Monrovia, condemned the raids: “They do not make our streets safer, they terrorize families, sow fear, and put lives at risk.”
Context: Raids in Day Laborer Areas
ICE has concentrated multiple operations in stores like Home Depot and other gathering points for day laborers. In a recent case in Washington, D.C., a similar operation was carried out as part of a broader federal plan to detain immigrants and unhoused individuals.
It is worth noting that a federal court in Los Angeles has upheld an injunction prohibiting detaining individuals solely based on their language, accent, type of work (such as day labor), or presence in certain locations. This protection is crucial for Latino and working-class communities.
Ayuda California: Rights, Dignity, and Action
Our thoughts are with the victim’s family. If you or a loved one has been affected by an accident or immigration raid, we can help.
At Ayuda California, we stand with those who build, feed, and care for our communities:
✅ Legal assistance in personal injury, wrongful death, and abuse during operations
✅ Protection of labor rights and defense against unlawful detentions
✅ Free consultations in Spanish, regardless of immigration status
✅ Representation throughout California
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