Federal agents raid 2 Long Beach car washes, videos show
At least nine workers were detained by federal agents, according to advocacy group ÓRALE.
Workers at two Long Beach car washes showed up for their shift Sunday morning just like any other day, but the lives of at least nine people were upended when federal agents raided the businesses and detained them.
Videos from both raids show masked federal agents swarm Andres Car Wash in Cal Heights and Coast Hand Car Wash near Cal State Long Beach between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, causing workers to flee. It’s unclear if the agents were with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection or a combination of the two agencies.
“They don't say anything. They don't ask anything. They just … go straight to the employees,” one Andres worker, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Watchdog Monday. The worker added that agents did not show warrants or other paperwork before chasing down workers.
The worker said four people were taken into custody, including one man who has worked at the car wash for about 15 years. They said all the detained employees are hard workers just trying to provide for their families.
Both car washes remained closed Monday.
“We don’t have enough employees to open,” the Andres worker said, adding that remaining employees are scared to come to work because agents have been known to return to the same location in the days after a raid. “We don’t know when we’re gonna be back open.”
The worker noted that agents have made a habit of picking up immigrants throughout the region while they are at work, which counters the notion that they are lazy and living off government assistance. They said that they pay taxes and receive little if any assistance but they are just happy to have jobs.
“In summertime, do you know how hard this job is?” the worker said. “We’re sweating, we get dirty, but we don’t complain.”
CLEAN Carwash Worker Center, an advocacy group that fights for improved conditions for car wash workers, estimates that at least 100 car wash workers across LA and Orange counties have been detained by federal agents since June 6, according to social media posts.
“This past week, over 40 car wash workers have been torn away from their families and communities,” the group said on Facebook Monday. “The violence sweeping across Southern California's car washes demands our collective action.”
The Long Beach Police Department declined to comment on the raids, deferring questions to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS did not immediately respond to questions asked by the Watchdog.
Local immigrant advocacy group ÓRALE said at least nine people were picked up across both raids.
“These kidnappings are causing real pain to local families, and they highlight why we need our city to approve $2.2 million for the Long Beach Justice Fund and a stronger Long Beach Values Act to protect our community,” said ÓRALE’s executive director, who asked to be identified only as Gaby.
According to a July 24 press release, city officials are proposing $5 million for its “Defending Our Long Beach Values Plan,” half of which would be allocated to “supporting the needs of Long Beach’s diverse immigrant communities.”
The budget proposal includes $1.85 million for the Long Beach Justice Fund, which Gaby said is not enough.
In a statement released Monday, the Mayor’s Office said it’s aware of the weekend raids.
“We know how frightening and destabilizing this can be for many of our immigrant families and neighbors, and we want you to know that you are not alone,” the statement reads. “The City of Long Beach is not notified in advance of any such actions and does not cooperate with immigration enforcement operations. We strongly condemn any activity that targets, intimidates, or inflicts fear on our immigrant community.
“We stand with our immigrant community, and we will continue to take every action within our authority to defend the rights, safety, and dignity of all our residents,” the Mayor’s Office statement continued.
For anyone trying to find family members or loved ones who have been picked up in a raid, the Mayor’s Office recommends using the ICE Detainee Locator tool at locator.ice.gov or calling 888-351-4024.
The city also has published a resource guide as part of its Long Beach Values Act.
“If you have a family member from Long Beach who was abducted and is in need of legal assistance by ICE, please call us at (213) 434-7799 to get connected to support,” Gaby said.
According to ÓRALE, more than 20 people, including the nine yesterday, have been detained by federal agents since the Trump administration’s escalation on immigration enforcement throughout Southern California.
“Both numbers could change, though, as we are still working to connect with families impacted by yesterday's abductions and the overall number accounts only for people whose families ÓRALE has been able to connect with,” the organization said.
“It's so sad,” the Andres worker said. “The families cry and cry when separated.”
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