How the arrest happened
Day-laborer sweep
Agents targeted people waiting for work at a Home Depot, hardware store, parking lot, or day-labor corner.
Documented in 14 states. Every well-documented story coded this way, grouped by state. See what accompanies it →
Arizona
10 day laborers detained by disguised ICE agents at Phoenix Home DepotAbout 10 people, including day laborers waiting for work and shoppers, were detained outside a Phoenix Home Depot after agents reportedly disguised themselves as day laborers to make arrests.Phoenix, AZ · Sep 7, 2026 · AZ Family, Daily Jeff
Isaac L.A.: Son prosecuted for running to father tackled by ICE in PhoenixIsaac Luis-Amazar ran to help when agents tackled his father, Luis Castro Silas, during a Home Depot parking lot arrest in Phoenix. A jury acquitted him of assaulting an officer in July 2026.Phoenix, AZ · Jan 5, 2026 · The Independent, The Arizona Republic, Prensa Arizona
California
ICE sweep across California's Central Valley detains multiple men over one weekICE arrested men across Chico, Madera and Chowchilla in early October, including a Mexican immigrant pulled from his home as agents also visited his daughter's school. Witnesses described quiet streets and a local youth protest afterward.“A lot of people are just too scared to show up, and you can’t blame them,” — Isaac RamirezMadera, CA · Oct 11, 2026 · The Merced Focus, Chico Sol, turlockjournal.com +1
Day laborers detained by ICE at Concord Home Depot, whereabouts unknownUp to five day laborers waiting for work were detained by agents in an early-morning raid on a Concord Home Depot parking lot; their names and whereabouts remain unknown.Los Angeles, CA · Sep 23, 2026 · NBC San Diego, NBC Los Angeles, KQED
Over 500 day laborers detained by ICE at Los Angeles Home DepotsMore than 500 day laborers seeking work outside Los Angeles Home Depot stores have been detained since 2025, as raids expanded to construction sites, traffic lights and coffee shops.Los Angeles, CA · Aug 15, 2026 · El País, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press +2- Erwin: Guatemalan day laborer faces homelessness, ICE raids at Los Angeles Home DepotErwin, 31, a Guatemalan tractor driver and father of two, lost his job and apartment and now sleeps in an abandoned wagon while seeking day labor despite constant fear of arrest.Los Angeles, CA · Aug 15, 2026 · El País
Carlos M.V.: Guatemalan day laborer struck and killed fleeing ICE raid at Home DepotCarlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, 52, a Guatemalan day laborer and father of four, died fleeing an immigration raid at a Monrovia Home Depot, struck by an SUV.“Was it intentional? I don’t think that is the case, but it ended up with a father, a brother being killed” — Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the National Day Laborers Organizing NetworkMonrovia, CA · Jul 13, 2026 · NBC Los Angeles, LAist, CBS News +11
Day laborer chased into Home Depot by ICE, taken away bloodiedA day laborer was chased into a Home Depot by ICE agents and led away bloodied and handcuffed, a community organizer who witnessed the arrest said.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 12, 2026 · The Guardian
Isaac V.M.: Pasadena day laborer detained again by ICE at check-inIsaac Antonio Villegas Molina, a Pasadena day laborer from Panama, was redetained during a routine check-in months after his first arrest sparked a lawsuit. A judge ordered his immediate release, calling the redetention retaliatory.Pasadena, CA · Apr 24, 2026 · Pasadena Star News, Pasadena Now, ABC7 +7
Sacramento day laborers arrested without warrants by Border Patrol, defying court orderEleven day laborers were detained without reasonable suspicion at a Sacramento Home Depot in July 2025, a judge ruled, after agents used nearly identical forms for each arrest.Sacramento, CA · Apr 2, 2026 · Verdict, Sacramento Bee, Valley Wide Newspaper +2- Immigration agents raid Home Depot in Downey, CaliforniaFederal agents raided a Home Depot in Downey, California on a Saturday, with video showing people running as agents left; authorities did not say if anyone was detained.Downey, CA · Jan 25, 2026 · Ecoticias, ABC7
Daycare teacher with work permit and U.S. citizen dad arrested by agentsA Chicago daycare teacher with a work permit was arrested in front of parents and children. In Los Angeles, a U.S. citizen was detained at a Home Depot while his 1-year-old citizen daughter remained in the car.Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA · Dec 26, 2025 · ABC News, Associated Press, CNN
Dennis Q.: U.S. citizen father arrested by ICE, agents drive off with his toddlerDennis Quiñonez, 32, a U.S. citizen, was separated from his 1-year-old daughter during a Home Depot parking lot arrest; she returned with a bruise and rash. He was freed on bond after two days.Cypress Park, CA · Nov 6, 2025 · Carrillo Firm, CBS News, The LA Local +2
U.S. citizen father detained in Home Depot raid, agents take 1-year-old daughterA 32-year-old U.S. citizen was detained during a Home Depot raid in Los Angeles while agents drove off in his car with his 1-year-old daughter inside, who returned with a bruised cheek.Los Angeles, California · Nov 5, 2025 · The LA Local, Associated Press, TIME +5
Jude A. and Jenaro-Ernesto A.: U.S. citizen among day-laborer advocates arrested by Border Patrol at Home DepotJude Jasmine Jeannine Allard, 28, and Jenaro-Ernesto Ayala, 43, day-laborer advocates, were arrested at a Van Nuys Home Depot, and their attorneys were later denied access to them while detained in Los Angeles.Van Nuys, CA · Oct 16, 2025 · ProPublica, LA Taco
16 arrested at LA Home Depot by Border Patrol despite court orderSixteen people from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua were arrested outside a Los Angeles Home Depot by masked agents using an unmarked Penske truck, despite a court order barring such raids in the region.Los Angeles, CA · Aug 6, 2025 · The Independent, The Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle +2People detained by ICE outside Encinitas Home Depot, video showsA woman driving past an Encinitas Home Depot recorded ICE agents detaining two men in the area and described the encounter to a local news station.Encinitas, CA · Jul 27, 2025 · NJ.com, NBC San Diego, Mankato Free Press +1
- Jose Manuel C.: U.S. citizen volunteer charged during ICE raid at Sacramento Home DepotJose Manuel Castillo Jr., a U.S. citizen and immigrant advocacy volunteer, was charged after allegedly puncturing a Border Patrol vehicle's tire during a July 17 ICE raid at a Home Depot. His attorney says he was only documenting arrests.Sacramento, CA · Jul 17, 2025 · KCRA, CBS News, ABC10 +2
Jose C.: U.S. citizen documenting Sacramento Home Depot raid detained by Border PatrolJose Castillo, a U.S. citizen volunteering to monitor immigration enforcement, was detained after Border Patrol accused him of damaging a tire during a Sacramento Home Depot raid that arrested 11 undocumented immigrants. He was later released.Sacramento, CA · Jul 17, 2025 · Sacramento Bee, KCRA
Job G.: PhD student and US citizen tackled, detained 24 hours while filming ICE raid at Home DepotJob Garcia, 37, a PhD student and U.S. citizen, was tackled and his phone smashed while filming an ICE raid at a Hollywood Home Depot. He was held over 24 hours and is now seeking $1 million in damages.Los Angeles, CA · Jul 3, 2025 · The Guardian, NBC News, The Undercoverist +1
Dozens detained in raids at Home Depot stores in Los AngelesThirty-seven people were detained at three Los Angeles Home Depot stores on June 30, with agents arriving in marked Border Patrol vehicles and trying to enter a day laborer center.Corona, CA · Jun 30, 2025 · CBS News, NBC Los Angeles, KTLA
Selena H.R.: Salvadoran taco vendor detained by masked ICE agents in Los AngelesSelena Vanessa Hernández Ramírez, 25, a Salvadoran taco vendor, was detained by masked, unidentified ICE agents outside a Ladera Heights Home Depot on June 23, with agents using tear gas on bystanders who intervened.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 27, 2025 · La República, La Nación, El Tiempo
Adrian M.: 20-year-old U.S. citizen shoved, jailed while helping elderly worker at WalmartAdrian Martinez, 20, a U.S. citizen Walmart employee, was detained after trying to help an elderly coworker being arrested; footage disproved claims he hit agents, but he still faces a felony charge.Pico Rivera, CA · Jun 22, 2025 · NBC Los Angeles, FOX 11 Los Angeles- Diabetic construction worker arrested at Metro stop, held six days without carePedro Vasquez Perdomo, 54, a day laborer managing diabetes in Pasadena for decades, was handcuffed at a Metro stop by masked armed agents and held without medical care for his condition for six days.Los Angeles, CA · Jun 18, 2025 · CourtListener
Plainclothes federal agent draws gun on man at stoplight in PasadenaA man photographing a federal agent's license plate at a Pasadena stoplight had a gun drawn on him, as nearby agents detained day laborers at a bus stop and arrested at least two men.Pasadena, California · Jun 20, 2025 · KTLA, Your News, Latin Times +1
54-year-old tamale vendor suffers heart attack after Border Patrol arrestA 54-year-old woman who sold tamales at the same Pacoima spot for 10 years was arrested without a warrant, lost consciousness, and suffered a heart attack before being hospitalized.Pacoima, CA · Jun 19, 2025 · Los Angeles Times, CBS News, San Fernando Sun +2
Day laborers detained in ICE raid at Santa Ana Home DepotDay laborers were detained in a raid at a Santa Ana Home Depot, with agents pointing guns at the group. A 50-year-old Peruvian man was released after showing asylum seeker documents.Santa Ana, CA · Jun 9, 2025 · NBC Los Angeles, Orange County Register, Santa Monica Daily Press +2
At least 373 car wash workers detained in Southern California ICE raidsAt least 373 car wash workers were detained across 106 Southern California car washes since June 2025. One worker of 33 years described two months sleeping on a cold floor without medical care.Los Angeles County, CA · Jun 9, 2025 · ABC7, LA Public Press, Times of San Diego +2
At least a dozen detained in ICE sweeps, Santa Ana protesters pepper-sprayedAt least a dozen people were detained at a Harbor Boulevard Home Depot and others nearby during June 10 Orange County sweeps that appeared to target day laborers seeking work.Santa Ana, CA · Jun 9, 2025 · Patch, The News Herald, KTLA
At least 44 detained, protesters tear-gassed during ICE operations in ParamountImmigration raids near a Paramount Home Depot led to at least 44 detentions and drew over 1,000 protesters, sparking clashes with tear gas and flash-bangs and prompting a National Guard deployment.Paramount, CA · Jun 7, 2025 · Spectrum Local News, NBC Bay Area, Yahoo News +2
Food vendor pulled from tree during arrest still missing, family saysA street vendor was pulled from a tree and detained outside a Ladera Heights Home Depot on June 23 while still wearing her work apron. Her family could not locate her for days afterward.Ladera Heights, CA · Jun 6, 2025 · LAist, Los Angeles Times, FOX 11 Los Angeles +1
Two detained at Los Angeles Home Depot as federal agent aims handgunTwo day laborers were detained at a Los Angeles Home Depot where a masked agent aimed a handgun and another used a chemical spray, as an unmarked SUV rolled forward after agents forgot to park it.Los Angeles, CA · June 2025 · ACLU, The Intercept
Undocumented volunteers who cleared Eaton fire debris arrested in ICE raidsUndocumented day laborers who volunteered unpaid to clear toxic debris and distribute water after the Eaton wildfire were arrested in June ICE sweeps targeting job sites and recovery-zone neighborhoods in Los Angeles.Altadena/Pasadena, California · June 2025 · New York Times, LA Public Press, NBC Los Angeles +1
Day laborers waiting for work detained by ICE outside Pomona Home DepotBetween 10 and 20 day laborers were detained outside a Pomona Home Depot on April 22 while waiting for work. Three men, held in Calexico, await bond hearings as advocates demand due process.Pomona, CA · Apr 22, 2025 · Patch, NBC Los Angeles, KTLA +2
Connecticut
ICE agents seen throwing, kneeling on man's head during Danbury detention sweepA multi-day ICE sweep in Danbury, Connecticut, detained about 50 people; surveillance video showed agents throwing, kicking and kneeling on a man's head outside a local Botanica store.Danbury, CT · Aug 27, 2026 · CBS News, WFSB, Standing Record
Dialysis patient, father among at least 16 arrested in Danbury ICE sweepAt least 16 people were arrested in a Danbury sweep, including a man who needs dialysis and a father of a high school student, many stopped at a day laborer site.Danbury, CT · Aug 24, 2026 · CT Insider, CT Public, CT Mirror- Tree removal workers among 21 detained in Connecticut ICE sweepsFour tree removal workers were among at least 21 people detained across Stamford, Danbury and Bridgeport, with agents reported near Home Depot and the Stamford train station; some were later released after showing documents.Stamford, CT · Aug 24, 2026 · CT Public, Connecticut Centinal
Georgia
Illinois
Ruben T.M.: Father held by ICE as 16-year-old daughter's cancer treatment put on holdRuben Torres Maldonado, a home painter in the U.S. since 2003, was detained outside a Home Depot days after his daughter Ofelia began cancer treatment. He was freed after a judge found his detention unlawful; Ofelia died in February.Chicago, IL · Feb 15, 2026 · The City, NBC Chicago, ABC7 +4
Willian G.G.: Chicago day laborer suing off-duty police officers detained by ICEWillian Giménez González, who is suing off-duty police officers over harassment of day laborers at a Chicago Home Depot, was detained by ICE soon after filing suit, his lawyer says.Chicago Illinois · Oct 6, 2025 · City Bureau, Democracy Now
Laura M.: Chicago tamale vendor held six months in ICE detentionLaura Murillo, 55, ran a tamale stand supporting her daughters Génesis and Daniela until her arrest in September 2025. Released in March 2026, she is now pursuing legal status and rebuilding her life.Chicago, IL · Sep 2025 · WBEZ, ABC7 Chicago, FOX 32 Chicago +1
Indiana
Louisiana
Maine
Colleen F.: Social worker scanned and labeled domestic terrorist for recording ICE operationColleen Fagan, a social worker, had her face scanned and license plate recorded while observing an immigration operation, after an agent told her she was now a "domestic terrorist."Portland, ME · Feb 24, 2026 · NPR, NPR, NPR +1- Elinor H.: Portland observer filming agents threatened with ICE watchlist and home visitElinor Hilton, 23, was filming federal agents in Portland when they threatened to put her on a watchlist and visit her home. She testified in a lawsuit over surveillance of observers.Portland, ME · Jan 21, 2026 · Central Maine, NPR, Protect Democracy +2
Maryland
Minnesota
New York
Queens day laborers detained in second ICE raid in three daysAbout eight day laborers were detained in a raid near a Queens playground that also hosts a weekly soup kitchen, part of a pattern that has shrunk a crowd of 100 workers to a handful.Woodside, NY · Sep 1, 2026 · Documented, QNS, Latin Times
Dozens detained in ICE sweep targeting Spanish-speaking workers across Broome CountyTwenty-two to 30 people, mostly Spanish speakers and some legally present, were detained over one week in Broome County while commuting or working outdoor jobs, including at a Home Depot and McDonald's.Broome County, NY · Jul 13, 2026 · WICZ, Press Connects, BU Pipe Dream
Ofelia T. and Ruben T.M.: U.S. citizen teen with stage 4 cancer dies, father detained by ICEOfelia Torres, 16, a Chicago high school junior with stage 4 cancer, died Feb. 13, 2026, days after a judge granted her detained father protection from deportation. She had publicly pushed for his release.New York, NY · Feb 16, 2026 · The Independent, NBC News, CBS News +2
