LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to access Dodger Stadium on Thursday morning, but were barred from entering by the Dodgers organization.
Images of government vehicles quickly spread on social media, prompting widespread speculation and criticism from fans, many of whom questioned the agents’ presence at the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. A crew with Nexstar’s KTLA reported seeing several unmarked SUVs that appeared to be carrying federal agents — some of whom were wearing masks — parked outside the stadium’s parking lots.
Shortly after noon, the Dodgers released the following statement on the social media platform X:
“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.”
While the stadium grounds are affiliated with the team, the parking areas are owned by former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, according to the Los Angeles Times. The outlet also reported that it’s unclear what the ICE agents were doing at the stadium or whether any arrests had been made.
Ambar Quintanilla, a district representative for California Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas, told KTLA that the agents were confirmed to be with the Department of Homeland Security. She noted that the agents would not answer questions regarding why they were on site.
According to Quintanilla, members of the Los Angeles City Council were contacted about the presence of agents at Dodger Stadium. The city council then contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, which then contacted Dodger Stadium’s head of security. Quintanilla said the agents were then asked to leave.
The appearance of ICE agents comes as the Dodgers prepare to break their silence on the ongoing federal immigration raids in Los Angeles — operations that have left much of the team’s Latino fan base on edge.
The Dodgers’ initial decision to remain publicly silent has drawn sharp criticism and become a political flashpoint in the city. To date, Enrique “Kiké” Hernández is the only player to speak out about the raids.
The Times was the first to report that the organization plans to announce initiatives aimed at supporting immigrant communities affected by raids, starting in early June.
A coalition of Latino advocacy groups has urged the Dodgers and other local professional sports teams to speak out as President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown continues to reverberate across Los Angeles communities.
On Saturday, singer Nezza defied the Dodgers’ reported request to perform the national anthem in English, instead singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Spanish before a home game. Her performance coincided with widespread protests across metro Los Angeles against what critics call a “Mass Deportation Program” promoted by Trump and federal officials.
The Dodgers later issued a statement regarding Nezza’s performance, saying there were “no hard feelings” and that the team “would be happy to have her back.”
The organization has long enjoyed deep support from Southern California’s Latino community, a connection dating back to 1981’s “Fernandomania,” when Mexico-born pitcher Fernando Valenzuela won the Cy Young Award as a 20-year-old rookie.
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