Fri Jun 20 04:40:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article: ICE Activity Near Dodger Stadium Sparks Protest, Raises Community Concerns
**ELYSIAN PARK, LOS ANGELES -** A staging area of federal immigration agents near Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park on Thursday morning triggered protests and raised concerns among local officials and community members. Dozens of agents, some in tactical gear with covered faces, were observed gathering near Gate E, prompting alerts to the LAPD and the Dodgers organization.
According to a statement from the Dodgers, ICE agents requested permission to access the parking lots but were denied entry. “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,” the team posted on X. The evening’s game will proceed as scheduled.
Conflicting statements followed the Dodgers’ post. The Department of Homeland Security claimed CBP vehicles were briefly in the parking lot, but that this “had nothing to do with the Dodgers” or any enforcement operation. ICE responded directly to the Dodgers, saying “False. We were never there.”
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez arrived at the scene and expressed frustration that the agents had not departed. She stated she was working with the Mayor’s office and the Dodgers to encourage the agents to leave private property.
The agents’ presence drew a crowd of protesters, leading the LAPD to form a skirmish line to separate activists from the staging area. The gathering remained peaceful until around 1:30 p.m., when both the LAPD and the protesters cleared the area.
The incident comes amid reports of increased immigration enforcement activity across Los Angeles County. Before Thursday, the Dodgers organization had faced criticism for remaining silent on the issue. Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernandez expressed his personal sentiments on social media, writing, “I am saddened and infuriated by what’s happening in our country and our city. I cannot stand to see our community being violated, profiled, abused and ripped apart.”
The Dodgers had planned to announce initiatives to support L.A.’s immigrant communities, but delayed the announcement. A team spokesman previously stated a news release would be issued sometime Thursday, adding that he could not provide any details, but a team representative confirmed they were delaying the announcement.
The incident near Dodger Stadium highlights the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles and the growing pressure on local organizations to take a stance on the issue.
First Piper 