ICE Raids: County Policy Gap in East Los Angeles
Activists blame missing signage for allowing federal agents to stage from a sheriff's station parking lot in violation of local sanctuary rules.
By Ivan Mori ·
Federal agents have used a public parking lot near a Los Angeles County Sheriff station to stage immigration arrests in East Los Angeles for 45 days.
Community organizers claim this practice violates a county ordinance that bans ICE from using county properties as operational bases. The policy, known as the Sensitive Sites Policy, was approved by the Board of Supervisors in January. It restricts civil immigration enforcement on county-owned or leased land. However, the specific lot at Belvedere Park lacks the required signage to officially designate it as a restricted zone under that rule.
The Belvedere Park parking lot is adjacent to the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station. A sign there simply reads “Public Parking.” It does not mention immigration law enforcement. This technicality allows federal agents to use the space for deployment, processing, and staging. The Sheriff’s Department maintains that its staff did not participate in the federal operations. Sheriff Robert Luna stated that agents did not use secure county facilities or notify the station before arrests.
Activists from the Boyle Heights Community Service Organization, known as Centro CSO, have documented five detentions at the park since August. Videos show agents in ICE vests taking individuals from the grass and picnic areas. One widely shared clip from October 8 captured two agents detaining a person near the intersection of Mednik and Third Street. Protesters marched from the park amphitheater to the sheriff’s office, breaking plastic barriers and shouting slogans against both immigration enforcement and local police.
Hilda L. Solis, the county supervisor for the First District, expressed concern over the reports. She noted that the county policy specifically prohibits using facilities as bases for immigration control. As a co-author of the ICE-Free Zones motion, she has asked the County Counsel to ensure full compliance. She urged residents to document encounters and report suspicious activity to local rapid response networks.
The Sheriff’s office argues that federal agencies operate under their own legal authority. Luna said county deputies cannot obstruct federal agents performing their duties. He emphasized that the two recent detentions occurred outside county facilities after individuals were released from custody. The department stated it does not enforce civil immigration laws.
Residents in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have been advised to report any suspected immigration activity. The Boyle Heights Rapid Response Network operates a hotline at 323-805-1049. The Los Angeles Rapid Response Network can be reached at 888-624-4752. These groups monitor the area for unauthorized federal presence.
