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Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Home Depots across L.A. become battleground in new phase of ICE raids
There is a new reality emerging in the parking lots of one of America's biggest home improvement stores, highlighted by incidents big and small across Los Angeles. Construction workers are still hauling lumber and nails, and DIY homeowners pushing carts of paint and soil. But all of a sudden, federal immigration agents may appear. On Thursday, they moved on a Home Depot parking lot in Monrovia, sending laborers running, including a man who jumped a wall and onto the 210 Freeway, where he was fatally struck. A day prior, fear of a possible raid at a Ladera Ranch location sparked warnings across social media. Since a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting federal agents from targeting people solely based on their race, language, vocation, or location, the number of arrests in Southern California declined in July. But over the last two weeks, some higher-profile raids have returned, often taking place at Home Depot locations, where migrant laborers often congregate looking for work. The number of arrests in these incidents was not immediately known, but the fear that pervades the sweeps underscores how Home Depot has emerged this summer as a key battleground in the fight over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles and Southern California. 'Home Depot, whether they like it or not, they are the epicenter of raids,' said Pablo Alvarado, the co-executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, a group that represents the tens of thousands of day laborers working in L.A. The renewed burst of raids outside neighborhood Home Depots began Aug. 6, when a man drove a Penske moving truck to a Home Depot in Westlake and began soliciting day laborers when, all of a sudden, Border Patrol agents jumped out of the back of the vehicle and began to chase people down. Sixteen people were arrested. The raid — branded 'Operation Trojan House' by the Trump administration — was showcased by government officials with footage from an embedded Fox News TV crew. 'For those who thought Immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again,' acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli posted on X. The next day, federal agents raided a Home Depot in San Bernardino. Then, on Aug. 8, they conducted two raids outside a Home Depot in Van Nuys in what DHS described as a 'targeted immigration raid' that resulted in the arrest of seven undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. Over the weekend, activists say, a Home Depot was targeted in Cypress Park and word spread that federal agents were at a Home Depot in Marina del Rey. On Monday, day laborers were nabbed outside a Home Depot in North Hollywood, and on Tuesday more were arrested at a Home Depot in Inglewood. 'And it's not just day laborers they are taking,' Alvarado added, noting that when federal agents descend on the hardware store's parking lots, they question anyone who looks Latino or appears to be an immigrant and ask them about their papers. 'They also get customers of Home Depot who look like day laborers, who speak Spanish.' The national hardware chain — whose parking lots have for decades been an unofficial gathering point for undocumented laborers hoping to get hired for a day of home repair or construction work — was one of the first sites of the L.A. raids in June that kicked off the Trump administration's intense immigration enforcement across Southern California. Nearly 3,000 people across seven counties in L.A. were arrested in June as masked federal agents conducted roving patrols, conducting a chaotic series of sweeps of street corners, bus stops, warehouses, farms, car washes and Home Depots. But the number of raids and arrests plummeted dramatically across L.A. in mid-July after the court order blocked federal agents across the region from targeting people unless they had reasonable suspicion they entered the country illegally. On Aug. 1, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration's request to lift the restraining order prohibiting roving raids. But within just a few days, federal agents were back, raiding the Westlake Home Depot. 'Even though we've had two successful court decisions, the administration continues with their unconstitutional behavior coming and going to Home Depot stores,' L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said at a news conference Thursday. 'They are violating the' temporary restraining order. Advocates for undocumented immigrants question the legality of federal agents' practices. In many cases, they say, agents are failing to show judicial warrants. They argue that the way agents are targeting day laborers and other brown-skinned people is illegal. 'It's clear racial profiling,' said Alvarado. The Department of Homeland Security did not answer questions from The Times about how many people have been arrested over the last week at Home Depots across L.A. or explain what why the agency has resumed raids outside hardware stores. After last Friday's raids on Van Nuys, Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said four of the seven individuals arrested had criminal records, including driving under the influence of alcohol, disorderly conduct and failing to adhere to previous removal orders. She dismissed activists' claims that the Trump administration were violating the temporary restraining order. 'What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S. — not their skin color, race, or ethnicity,' McLaughlin said. 'America's brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapists — truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities.' Activists say that federal agents are targeting Home Depots because they are hubs for a constant flow of day laborers — mostly Latino and a great deal of whom are undocumented. 'They know that at the Home Depot there will always be people who are day laborers, many of them undocumented,' said Ron Gochez, a member of the Unión del Barrio, a group that patrols neighborhoods to alert residents of immigration sweeps. 'And so they figured it would be a much easier, faster and more effective way for them to kidnap people just to go to the Home Depot.' Another reason the hardware store parking lots had become a focal point, Gochez said, is that they present a wide, open space to hunt people down. 'There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide,' Gochez said. 'And when some of the day laborers started running inside of the Home Depot stores, the agents literally have chased them down the aisles of the store.' In Los Angeles, pressure is mounting on Home Depot to speak out against the targeting of people outside their stores. 'They haven't spoken out; their customers are being taken away and they are not saying anything,' Alvarado said. 'They haven't issued a public condemnation of the fact that their customers have been abducted in their premises.' This is not the first time Home Depot has found itself in the center of a political firestorm. In 2019, the Atlanta-based company faced boycott campaigns after its co-founder Bernie Marcus, a Republican megadonor, announced his support for Trump's reelection campaign. Back then, the chain tried to distance itself from its founder, noting that Marcus retired from the company in 2002 and did not speak on its behalf. But in a global city like L.A., where civic and political leaders are rallying against the raids and public schools have developed policies blocking federal agents from entering their premises, there are growing calls for the national hardware chain to develop consistent policies on raids, such as demanding federal agents have judicial warrants before descending on their lots. On Tuesday, a coalition of advocacy groups led a protest in MacArthur Park and urged Angelenos to support a 24-hour boycott of Home Depot and other businesses that they say have not stopped federal immigration agents from conducting raids in their parking lots or chasing people down in their stores. 'We call them an accomplice to these raids, because there is no other location that's been hit as much as they have,' Gochez said. 'We think that Home Depot is being complicit. They're actually, we think, in some way collaborating, whether directly or not.' Home Depot denies that it is working with federal agents or has advance notice of federal immigration enforcement activities. 'That's not true,' George Lane, manager of corporate communications for Home Depot, said in an email to The Times. 'We aren't notified that these activities are going to happen, and we aren't involved in the operations. We're required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate.' Lane said Home Depot asked associates to report any suspected immigration enforcement operations immediately and not to engage for their own safety. 'If associates feel uncomfortable after witnessing ICE activity,' he added, 'we offer them the flexibility they need to take care of themselves and their families.' The targeting of day laborers outside L.A. Home Depots is particularly contentious because day laborers, primarily Latino men, have for decades represented an integral part of the Los Angeles labor force. Since the 1960s, day laborers have formed an informal labor market that has boosted this sprawling city, helping it expand, and in recent months they have played a pivotal role in rebuilding L.A. after the January firestorms tore through Pacific Palisades and Altadena destroying thousands of homes. 'It appears they're targeting and taking the very people rebuilding our cities,' Alvarado said. 'Without migrant labor, both documented and undocumented, it's impossible to try to rebuild Los Angeles.' In many L.A. neighborhoods, day laborers are such a constant, ingrained presence at Home Depots that the city's Economic and Workforce Development Department sets up its resource centers for day laborers next to the stores. Day laborers are also a reason many customers come to Home Depot. 'Day laborers are a part of their business model,' Alvarado said. 'You come in, you get your materials, and then you get your helper.' Alvaro M. Huerta, the Director of Litigation and Advocacy of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, part of a coalition of groups suing Homeland Security over immigration raids in L.A., said the pick up of raids at Home Depot parking lots was 'deeply troubling' and raised serious concerns that the federal government was continuing to violate the July temporary restraining order. 'This looks a lot like it did before a temporary restraining order was in place,' Huerta said.'My sense is they feel they can justify raids at Home Depots more than roving raids.' Lawyers, Huerta said, were investigating the raids and asking some of the people taken into custody a series of questions: Did agents ever present a warrant? What kinds of questions did they ask? Did you feel like you were able to leave? 'One of the things we've been arguing is that some of these situations are coercive,' Huerta said. 'The government is saying, 'No, we're allowed to ask questions, and people can volunteer answers.' But we've argued that in many of these cases, people don't feel like they cannot speak.' Attorneys will likely present information about the arrests to court at a preliminary injunction hearing in September, Huerta said, as they press Trump administration attorneys for evidence that the arrests are targeted. Huerta said some of the people caught up in recent Home Depot raids were not even looking for work at the parking lot. One man, a 22-year-old who was getting gas across the street from a Home Dept last Thursday, Huerta said, was detained even though he had special immigrant juvenile status as he was brought to the U.S. as a teen. The man had an asylum application pending, work authorization and no criminal history — and yet a week after he was arrested he was confined in Adelanto Detention Center. Times staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this article.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
222 Advance Base Ordnance Depot achieves prestigious 5S ISO certification
Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 12 (ANI): In a landmark achievement for military logistics, 222 Advance Base Ordnance Depot (ABOD) in Guwahati has unveiled the 5S ISO Certification. The certificate was awarded by HYM International Certifications Pvt Ltd, said an official press release of the Indian Army. The unveiling of the Certificate was carried out by Maj Gen AK Sharma, VSM, General Officer Commanding, 51 Sub Area, on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the Depot's commitment to operational 5S methodology, comprising Seiri (Sort), Seiton (Set in Order), Seiso (Shine), Seiketsu (Standardise) and Shitsuke (Sustain) – is a globally recognised Japanese framework designed to optimise workplace efficiency, safety and discipline. Following a rigorous evaluation, 222 ABOD has been recognised for its adherence to these principles, which enhance operational readiness, streamline processes, reduce waste and foster a safer, more organised work a critical logistics hub, 222 ABOD's adoption of 5S principles ensures faster response times, improved resource management, and heightened workplace safety, directly supporting its mission-critical objectives. This certification underscores the Depot's dedication to maintaining world-class standards in military the unveiling ceremony, Maj Gen AK Sharma praised the Depot's efforts, stating that 5S ISO Certification is a testament to our discipline, organisation and relentless pursuit of excellence. It reflects the Depot's commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining operational readiness. The GOC also expressed gratitude to all combatants and civilian staff for their teamwork and unwavering dedication, which were instrumental in achieving this 222 Advance Base Ordnance Depot now stands as a benchmark for operational excellence in military logistics, demonstrating the power of disciplined systems and a quality-driven approach. This milestone reinforces the Depot's pivotal role in supporting operations through efficiency. (ANI)
Metro
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Two Emmerdale icons arrested as vicious new feud explodes
There's a bit of tension between Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker) and Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) after a good old Emmerdale gossip session leads to a revelation of things that Ruby would rather not know. Ruby then witnesses something she'd rather not see, and it cements the fact that the feisty fiercely protective Ruby we haven't seen of late is set to make a comeback. Ruby is like a tiger mum when it comes to her family, and Manpreet finds herself on the wrong side of that. Caleb (William Ash) is grateful as Ruby offers to cover him at the depot, but though she's got work to do, she can't help herself but go and confront Manpreet about what she saw. Manpreet is mortified at the confrontation and later responds by showing up at the depot to turn it back on Ruby. Ruby is unbothered but Manpreet refuses to not be heard and makes her point by dramatically and somewhat dangerously hijacking a forklift. She holds the forklift hostage and refuses to get off until Ruby hears her out. More Trending Ruby couldn't be less bothered when Manpreet tries to get her interest by bringing up her awful affair with Cain (Jeff Hordley), but Manpreet has Ruby's full attention when she utters the S word – Steph. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Angry mama Ruby snaps, attacking Manpreet, who quite frankly is asking for it. Caleb, meanwhile, is oblivious and supping a delicious pint in the Woolie, safe in the knowledge that the Depot is fine and dandy. He has no idea two grown women are knocking seven bells out of each other at his place of business. View More » Neither Ruby or Manpreet will back down and as things escalate the boys in blue arrive – and both are arrested for ABH. Will they both end up with records or find a way to resolve this feud? MORE: Ross tells a huge lie in Emmerdale that could destroy everything MORE: Major Emmerdale couple get back together – but heartbreak might follow MORE: All Emmerdale video spoilers for next week as locals face medical emergencies
Daily Mirror
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Soaps spoilers next week: Emmerdale arrest, Corrie proposal and EastEnders return
Betrayal, heartbreak and even a proposal are on the cards next week in soapland, with police intervening once again in Emmerdale after another explosive row. Get the lowdown. Tension is at an all-time high in soapland next week, from the Yorkshire Dales to The Summer Bay. In Emmerdale, Ruby and Manpreet go head to head after the village GP was exposed for her fling with Ross (played by Michael Parr), while Vinny continues to mask his concerns over his sexuality. On ITV's Coronation Street, Abi is keeping a secret of her own - her affair with brother-in-law Carl. But with fellow mechanic Tyrone around, their illicit romance could be blown out in the open. In happier news, one loved-up Corrie legend decides to give marriage another chance. Meanwhile in EastEnders, Eve grows increasingly concerned for Avani and urges Suki to tell the rest of her family the truth. But how will Eve react when her best pal Stacey is caught up by her SecretCam past? Here's what you need to know about all your favourite soaps - including Neighbours, Hollyoaks and Home and Away. Emmerdale Ruby (Beth Cordingly) offers to cover the Depot for Caleb (Will Ash). But after a heated confrontation with Ruby, Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker) turns up to have it out with her. Ruby brushes Manpreet off, prompting the latter to hijack a forklift and she refuses to get off until Ruby speaks to her. Ruby stays unbothered but when Manpreet mentions Steph, Ruby attacks her. Meanwhile at The Woolpack, Caleb is convinced the Depot is in safe hands. Later, the police make an arrest. Vinny (Bradley Johnson) chats to Mike (Macaulay Cooper) and appreciates his friendliness as their bond grows stronger. When Mike asks Vinny if he's gay, his confusion is clear but Vinny is grateful when Mike stays supportive. Later, Vinny's conflicted when he arranged to meet with Mike again. The following day, Gabby (Rosie Bentham) tells Vinny she's spending the night at a spa and Vinny receives an urgent message from Mike, who later reveals his partner has kicked him out. But Mike quickly turns on Vinny. Elsewhere, Charles (Kevin Mathurin) is concerned about Gabby who wants his help with something she's keeping a secret from Vinny. Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) persuades Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) to get on dating apps and, grabbing her phone, Nicola swipes right on Kammy's dating profile. Vic (Isabelle Hodgins) persuades Robert (Ryan Hawley) to spend time with Harry but John decides to meddle. Meanwhile, April's (Amelia Flanagan) 16th birthday doesn't go as planned. Coronation Street Theo (James Cartwright) is devastated when Todd (Gareth Pierce) shows him a photo of Theo's family on a leaflet promoting 'traditional family values.' In a fit of rage, Theo stands Todd up and trashes the builder's yard - only for Gary (Mikey North) to catch him in the act. Later, Theo begs Gary to stay away from Noah (Richard Winsor) as Theo doesn't want anything to jeopardise his access to his children. But will Gary be deterred? Carla (Alison King) and Lisa (Vicky Myers) attend a life drawing class together but their evening goes awry when Betsy (Sydney Martin) faces another crisis. At the factory, Betsy shows Carla what she's been working on. Later, Carla confides in Ryan that she's going to propose to Lisa. Will she accept? Meanwhile, Steve (Simon Gregson) calls at the flower shop with Cassie (Claire Sweeney) and reveals his solicitor has received a copy of the Preston Petals valuation and he wants what's rightfully his - but Tracy's (Kate Ford) fuming. Later, Steve settles himself down in front of the TV and promises to keep an eye on Dorin. But the toddler vanishes, making everyone panic. Elsewhere, Abi (Sally Carman) receives a text from Carl (Jonathan Howard) and feigns a migraine, telling Kevin she needs to go home. But at No.13, guilt gets the best of her and Carl suggests a drive. In the precinct, Tyrone (Alan Halsall) spots Carl in his car - but has he seen Abi? EastEnders Avani (Aaliyah James) struggles with morning sickness and Eve (Heather Peace) tries to convince Suki (Balvinder Sopal) to tell Ravi (Aaron Thiara) and Priya (Sophie Khan Levy) about the pregnancy. Later, Avani feels self-conscious at Amy's hot tub party and reaches for a drink but a row ensues when Suki and Eve arrive to check on her. Avani rushes off and is followed by Eve and, after a conversation, Eve agrees to support the teen. Meanwhile, Stacey (Lacey Turner) prepares for Lily's return but her happiness is short-lived when Jean (Gillian Wright) and Freddie (Bobby Brazier) tell her someone has leaked her SecretCam pictures and videos online. Stacey is convinced Joel (Max Murray) is the culprit and confronts him but Ross rushes him home. Later, Stacey gets the police involved. Harry (Elijah Holloway) finds out that Okie (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu) and Ravi are using Kojo's (Dayo Koleosho) flat for their illegal activities and tries to secretly intervene. But Ravi insists they need to up their game. George (Colin Salmon) is equally concerned when Okie offers Kojo an expensive watch. But he's grateful when Elaine (Harriet Thorpe) offers to investigate. Later, however, both Elaine and Cindy (Michelle Collins) realise there's a new woman in George's life. Patrick (Rudolph Walker) returns home from hospital but he struggles with anxiety following his attack and Howie (Delroy Atkinson) feels awful when he realises how scared Patrick really is. Elsewhere, Honey (Emma Barton) prepares to apply for Mr Lister's job and later gets bombshell news. Hollyoaks Sienna returns home to her family and Cleo but she locks herself in the bathroom when she learns her father Jez is gone. When he arrives, Jez faces Sienna and asks her to meet in the allotment for the truth. Mercedes finds out Bobby's cause of death while Tony prepares for a barbecue at The Hutch - and Ste encourages him to postpone the event. Meanwhile, Rex returns but lingers in the shadows. When alone, he approaches Ste - but how will Ste react? Neighbours Torn between two women, Andrew must reckon with his decision but when Holly is at the centre of a scandal, his moral compass later starts to stray - is his marriage in danger? Krista and Paul butt heads under pressure but Paul later makes an effort to fix his mistake. Elsewhere, Remi faces a huge career setback while Nell is overwhelmed. And a new crisis is unfolding at the Lassiters Complex. Home and Away Cohen calls off his football game with Cash early, sad his mother hasn't received his letters. But he soon gets an unexpected response. Bree frantically looks for Remy and calls the hospital. Meanwhile, Remi wakes up next to Avalon. Dana wants to arrange a girl's night out but Irene shuts her down - Dana then unpacks her concerns with John. Lacey finds out the funds in the board shop accounts are empty and bankruptcy is only weeks away. Elsewhere, Jo comes clean to Tane - and he later drops a bombshell.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Iconic Mexican restaurant closing after 90 years, no bankruptcy
One of the central parts of the dining experience in the U.S. is going out to a Mexican restaurant. This may seem counterintuitive, given that Mexican cuisine isn't inherently a part of traditional American dining, but it's been central to our dining culture for decades. Related: Top Dominos competitor makes a big bet in growing new area It doesn't really matter where you live. If you're in Colorado, California, or Connecticut, most Mexican spots offer more or less the same thing - which is great for diners who know what they want. The only problem is, Mexican restaurants often have a hard time differentiating themselves from competition. If you've been to a few Mexican restaurants, you can probably roughly outline what the menu, drink list, and even decor look like. There's often the top items, like fajitas, tacos, nachos, maybe a salad, and plenty of cheesy entrees. And any self-respecting Mexican eatery offers margaritas. The top places will often sell large, fishbowl-style margaritas that often come in lots of different or inventive flavors. There's nothing wrong with this business model. In fact, it's usually quite a treat to go out to a Mexican restaurant, especially when you know exactly what you're going to get. But it can be hard doing business in a crowded area, especially if your competition offers something you don't. Las Cuatro Milpas, a popular Mexican restaurant in San Diego, Calif., is closing down after nearly 100 years in business. The restaurant has been struggling financially. It owes approximately $160,000 in unpaid property taxes and has incurred several health code violations, including vermin infestations that were not remediated after multiple checks. MORE RETAIL: Popular Mexican chain closing all restaurants, no bankruptcyHome Depot local rival closing permanently after 120 yearsAmazon makes a harsh decision amid concerning customer trendHuge bankrupt retail chain closing down all stores after 80 years It was forced to close in the winter following the violation, and now, Las Cuatro Milpas is closing down for good. The restaurant has put its historic site up for sale for approximately $1.99 million. The property includes two buildings, living quarters, and even a church. It's located just blocks away from the San Diego Convention Center and the BNSF Freight Yard. While the $1.99 million sales price seems to cover a lot, it does not actually include the restaurant operation itself, per Fox 5 San Diego. Real estate agent Voltaire Lepe said the sale reflects the family's desire to retire, rather than any kind of issues with the government. "There has been some negativity painted about the reasons why they are selling, but the reason is just because they're retired," he explained. "They've been working here all their lives. Just like any business owner, everyone owes money to different government agencies." He added that the Estudillo family, which has operated the business since 1933, is open to offers that include the restaurant business. They are accepting offers until August 6, 2025. Customers remain hopeful that they may someday see the return of their favorite local hotspot, but with so much competition for Mexican food in the San Diego area, the future may be grim. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
