'It's bullshit': Naples Island Car Wash workers shaken after immigration raid
No workers were detained Monday morning, but the federal actions continue to spread ‘terror’ throughout the community, according to immigration advocates.
Federal agents swarmed Naples Island Car Wash and Detail Monday morning, questioning each worker but detaining no one, according to witnesses. Despite no arrests being made, the action is still a form of intimidation meant to sow fear, immigration advocates said.
Surveillance footage reviewed by the Watchdog shows at least 10 masked agents arriving at the car wash in three vehicles just after 9:30 a.m. Immediately upon exiting their vehicles, agents began questioning workers.
Manager Angel Medina, who has worked at the car wash for almost 10 years, said agents were in and out of the facility in minutes.
“They just kind of swarmed everybody,” Medina said. “They get in your face.”
All of the employees speak English well and no one ran, Medina said, which he believes is why no workers were taken. While most of the agents were “chill,” Medina said at least one was aggressive.
“It’s just kind of stupid that we have to go through this,” Medina said.
Agents did not show any documentation to indicate the raid was targeting a specific person, according to Medina, but rather the agents were racially profiling the business and its employees.
After a July court order prohibiting federal agents from profiling people based on their appearance, language or job, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that such profiling is acceptable.
Esteban Ruiz, who has worked at the car wash for 11 years, was questioned the longest by agents, Medina said.
“I was shocked,” Ruiz said, adding that he believed his darker complexion is the reason he was targeted. “My heart was beating fast but I wasn’t that scared because I do have papers. I was born here.”
A group of six agents blocked both ends of the tunnel in which Ruiz was working, according to Ruiz, who said agents first asked if he was a citizen, to which he truthfully replied, “yes.” Next they asked where he was born — St. Mary in Long Beach. His birthday. What schools he attended — a Poly High School alumnus, who also attended elementary and middle school in Long Beach.
“I was like, ‘what the hell?’” Ruiz said of the encounter, adding that he gave them all the requested information. “And then they were like, ‘Oh, we need to take a picture of you,’ and I was like ‘alright.’”
Ruiz noted that for workers who are undocumented, it could be hard to stay calm in the situation he found himself in. Previous raids at Long Beach car washes show agents detained anyone who attempted to flee.
“These raids are not just scare tactics, they are actions that terrorize entire communities,” said ÓRALE Executive Director Gaby, who asked only to be identified by her first name. “In these times, it is crucial that we do what we can to protect each other. Know your rights, patrol your neighborhoods, and check in with your neighbors to know how you can support them.”
Gaby encourages the community and local businesses to connect with the nonprofit to arrange a “know your rights” training.
“Together, we can empower our families to help keep our neighbors safe,” she said.
Monday’s raid is just the latest in a string of federal raids at Long Beach car washes, coming one week after seven workers were abducted from Bixby Knolls Car Wash. On Aug. 17, agents detained nine people. On Labor Day, two more workers were taken from another business.
Also on Monday morning, federal agents were confronted by residents outside a Signal Hill Home Depot store, according to video circulating on social media. It is unclear if anyone was take during that operation, according to ÓRALE.
According to CLEAN Carwash Worker Center, an advocacy group that fights for improved conditions for car wash workers, more than 250 car wash workers across LA and Orange counties have been detained by federal agents since June 6.
“It’s scary that it’s something we have to go through — and we shouldn’t have to,” Medina said, adding that workers were shaken up after the incident. “They can take you no matter what, just ‘cause you’re Brown. It’s bullshit. There’s no other word I can say. It’s just bullshit.”
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