U.S. citizens swept up while waiting for day work in California
At Home Depot parking lots and similar day-labor pickup sites in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and other California locations, U.S. citizens — including parents, advocates, and bystanders filming or monitoring arrests — were detained, handcuffed, or physically restrained by ICE or Border Patrol agents, sometimes with children left in vehicles. First documented in June 2025, the pattern became recurring the following month, peaking that month, and has since made up a smaller share of reported cases.
First documented Jun 2025, recurring since Jul 2025. Shrinking as a share of recent stories.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
8 stories in 1 state. What accompanies this practice →
California
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- 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
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