How Carlos could only stand and weep.
How On April 22, he witnessed fellow day laborers being taken into custody by Customs and Border Protection agents in a Home Depot parking lot in Pomona, California.
“We are here. We are human. All we want is to support ourselves and care for our families,” Carlos said through an interpreter at a press conference organized by day laborer advocates.
Although Carlos was not detained, advocates say raids like the one in Pomona have far-reaching consequences—not just for those apprehended, but for their families and broader communities. Many day laborers are undocumented and seek only fair-paying jobs under safe and respectful conditions.
Local organizers who assist day laborers in Pomona described the raid as unusual but deeply unsettling for the community.
The incident aligns with former President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda, including executive orders issued on his first day in office.
According to newly released data, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 66,000 undocumented immigrants during the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency—nearly half the total number apprehended in all of fiscal year 2024.
Fear is prompting many undocumented immigrants to avoid places where they once felt safe or found work—such as churches, their children’s schools, and familiar job-seeking locations—now seen as “soft targets” vulnerable to enforcement actions.
On the same day as the Pomona Home Depot raid, surveillance footage captured the 59-year-old from Guerrero, Mexico, arriving at his barbershop—a business he’s run for more than 20 years. As he stepped out of his car to unlock the gate, two vehicles pulled in and blocked him. Within minutes, agents detained him, moved his vehicle off the premises, and drove away with him in a van.
“I knew, deep down, that my legal status made me vulnerable—especially with all the threats coming from the president,” Majin Leon told CNN in Spanish.
“But I never imagined being arrested like that—at gunpoint. That’s what shocked me the most.
Watching the news and seeing what this administration is doing—it left me in despair.”
Majin Leon, who has lived in the U.S. for 39 years, was released more than 24 hours later with a scheduled court date. The judge, after reviewing his background, allowed him to remain under minimal supervision. He now checks in monthly with a probation officer.
“I’m not okay,” he admitted. Mentally, I’m struggling.”
He said the experience has completely disrupted his life. Despite holding a valid driver’s license and maintaining what he describes as an “impeccable” driving record, he no longer drives himself. His son now takes him where he needs to go.
Collateral Arrests During Pomona Home Depot Immigration Raid
The operation was reportedly aimed at apprehending a specific individual with an outstanding arrest warrant, according to both DHS and Customs and Border Protection.
Authorities claimed that several of those detained had prior offenses, including child abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, immigration-related violations, and driving under the influence.
Responding to inquiries from CNN, a Home Depot spokesperson clarified that the company had no prior knowledge of the operation and was not involved in any way.
He emphasized that locations like Home Depot parking lots serve as informal hiring sites where workers gather daily in hopes of finding jobs.
“For years, construction crews, contractors, and even homeowners have come to these spots to hire workers after picking up materials,” Teodoro said.
Day laborers, many of whom are undocumented, typically take on temporary jobs such as construction, landscaping, or moving services. The work is often arranged on the spot, paid in cash, and vital to supporting their families.
Teodoro added that the threat of further raids is already having economic consequences. Fewer laborers are showing up at traditional hiring spots, making it harder for construction projects to find workers and reducing income in communities that rely on their spending.
“We’ve seen a noticeable drop in the number of workers willing to show up,” Teodoro said, describing a significant decline in activity at typical gathering locations in the days following the raid.
Charities See Drop in Day Laborer Attendance Amid Rising Fear
In many areas, nonprofit organizations work alongside day laborers to help connect them with safe employment opportunities. Some of these initiatives are funded by local governments to offer secure, structured spaces for job seekers.
However, recent immigration raids have made those centers significantly less accessible. Sandra Yanez, a regional director for Catholic Charities, told CNN that the increased fear of detention has discouraged many laborers from showing up.
Even unconfirmed reports of enforcement activity can clear out entire centers for the day.
The resulting disruption often leads to multiple days without work or income for those affected, she added.
They remind workers that seeking day labor is not illegal and encourage them to stay calm and informed if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents.
Still, according to Alexis Teodoro of the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, recent raids signal a shift in enforcement strategy.
He noted that although targeting day laborers isn’t new—having occurred during the Obama administration—the Trump administration’s approach feels more aggressive and less concerned with legal safeguards.
They could have gone to neighborhoods known for criminal activity, but instead, they targeted a place where immigrant workers are simply trying to earn a living and feed their families.”