Taco vendor and church congregant detained during ICE raid on Los Angeles church during food giveaway
Jan 29, 2026·Location: North Hills, CA
Country of origin: Mexico

Carlos Chavez, a taco vendor and congregant at North Hills United Methodist Church in Los Angeles who helps with children's ministries, was detained by ICE agents on January 29 during a raid on the church grounds. The raid occurred while the church was conducting a food distribution ministry and hosting an event for mothers and children in the garden. According to church officials, agents forced their way onto the property despite being asked not to enter, carrying weapons and wearing masks, disrupting childcare and after-school programs and forcing attendees to shelter in a secure room for more than four hours. Chavez requested medical treatment for a respiratory illness while in detention, but his request was denied. He was subsequently deported to Mexico after signing a self-deportation order. The raid followed a 2025 policy change that rescinded the long-standing federal "sensitive locations" policy protecting houses of worship, and religious organizations have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the policy.
Timeline
Sources
- North Hills taco vendor asked for medical help, was given self-deportation order, wife says
- North Hills Residents, Faith Leaders Criticize ICE Action on Church Grounds | The Patriot KEIB AM 1150 | LA Local News
- Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming
- Faith leaders denounce ICE’s arrest of taco vendor in North Hills church parking lot
audacy.com·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- Community devastated after congregant arrested during immigration raid on L.A. church grounds
Yahoo News·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
Yahoo News·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- KTLA
- Federal agents storm church grounds and arrest man serving at food bank, report says
independent.co.uk·Feb 3, 2026·archived copy
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