Ice agents denied entry to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, reports say

The Guardian

16 hours ago

Department of Homeland Security agents near Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday were denied entry on to venue grounds when they tried to enter parking lots, according to multiple reports.
DHS vehicles, with masked officers, were spotted near Dodger Stadium, according to several local journalists, as the city continues to reel from Ice raids targeting immigrants.
It remains unknown what these federal agents were doing, and whether they arrested anyone, the Los Angeles Times reported. The agents refused to tell a Times reporter why they were at Dodger Stadium.
These DHS vehicles were apparently located near the stadium's downtown parking lot entrance. A source told the newspaper that federal agents met near Dodger stadium for a briefing but departed when photos of their meeting started to spread on social media.
Kevin Takumi, a videographer and photographer for Fox's Los Angeles affiliate, posted aerial video on X showing several vans and SUVs, and apparent immigration officers, around entrances to the stadium.
'Ice agents are taking up positions at the entrances to Dodger Stadium, media and crowd beginning to arrive,' Takumi wrote.
Jack Harris, the Dodgers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times, said on X: 'Regarding the photos going around on social media this morning about ICE agents at Dodger Stadium: sources say Ice agents tried to access Dodger Stadium today, but were denied entry to the grounds by the team.'
Another journalist, Fabian Ardaya, who covers the Dodgers for the Athletic, wrote: 'Ice agents attempted to access Dodger Stadium this morning but were denied by the Dodgers. Images had circulated this morning of agents appearing to use the parking lots as a staging area.'
Protesters arrived at Dodger Stadium after photos of federal agents circulated on social media. Police formed a line in front of one of the Dodger Stadium entrances, LAist reported.
The presence of federal agents comes as the Dodgers are expected to announce plans for helping immigrant communities harmed by recent raids – and amid fear of ramped-up enforcement. Prior to this planned announcement, the Dodgers had remained silent for weeks as Ice bore down on Los Angeles, spurring mass protests and military deployment.
Neither DHS nor Ice immediately responded to a request for comment. The Dodgers' press contacts did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Dodgers and San Diego Padres are facing off in Los Angeles this evening. There will also be a celebrity softball game to celebrate Black Heritage Night, CNN said.