- Monday, June 09, 2025
A false rumor of an ICE raid at a Home Depot in Paramount, California, sent shockwaves through LA’s Hispanic community, sparking protests, National Guard deployment, and a fierce debate over immigration enforcement and misinformation.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Paramount, a predominantly Hispanic suburb of Los Angeles, was thrust into chaos after rumors of an immigration raid at a local Home Depot swept through the community.
What began as a typical Sunday for day laborers seeking work quickly spiraled into fear, protests, and violence—despite federal authorities later confirming that no such raid had taken place at the hardware store.
Panic Spreads as Rumors Take Hold
The panic started when residents reported seeing immigration enforcement vehicles near the Home Depot, a familiar gathering spot for undocumented workers hoping to find jobs. As word spread on social media, stories of day laborers being rounded up and arrested fueled instant anxiety.
“No one really knows what happened. Everyone is afraid,” said Juan, a local worker, reflecting the uncertainty that gripped the community.
Protests Erupt and Escalate
Within hours, the store’s parking lot became the epicenter of heated protests. Demonstrators, many waving Mexican flags and chanting anti-ICE slogans, clashed with law enforcement.
The situation escalated as rocks and Molotov cocktails were thrown, prompting authorities to deploy pepper spray, rubber bullets, and smoke bombs in an attempt to disperse the crowd. A car was set ablaze and several businesses were looted, turning Paramount into a flashpoint for unrest that soon spread to other parts of Los Angeles.
Misinformation Fuels Unrest
Despite the chaos, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified to the BBC that “there was no ICE ‘raid’ at a Home Depot in LA,” attributing the unrest to misinformation.
However, the broader context of stepped-up immigration enforcement in the city—including real ICE operations in other neighborhoods and at workplaces—meant that the fear was not unfounded. That week, federal agents arrested 118 undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area, including individuals with prior criminal records.
National Guard Deployed Amid Riots
The unrest in Paramount catalysed what federal officials described as riots across Los Angeles. President Donald Trump, seizing on the moment, invoked his authority to deploy at least 2,000 National Guard troops to the city—a decision typically reserved for the state’s governor.
Armed National Guard members soon appeared in the streets, blocking access to business parks and squaring off with protesters, some of whom hurled insults and spray-painted anti-ICE graffiti.
Community Response: “This Is LA. It Touches Us All.”
Community leaders and residents expressed deep frustration, seeing the events as a breaking point for LA’s immigrant population. “It was time to stand up,” said Maria Gutierrez, a protester born in Mexico but raised in LA. “These are my people. This is LA. It touches us all. Everyone has family or knows someone who doesn’t have papers.”
Sanctuary City Status and Ongoing Tensions
The protests also highlighted the city’s status as a sanctuary for immigrants, with many residents feeling that the federal crackdown was an attack on the very fabric of their community. Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr., who represents Paramount, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The community is coming out strong to show that they are not welcome in our community. No en mi distrito. Not in my district. Vámonos pa’ fuera.”
A City on Edge
As LA continues to grapple with the aftermath, the episode stands as a stark reminder of how quickly misinformation, fear, and political rhetoric can ignite real-world consequences—especially in communities already living on edge.
