Key Takeaways
• Over a dozen day laborers arrested by CBP officers at Pomona’s Home Depot on April 22, 2025.
• Legal aid programs like RepresentLA mobilized swiftly to support detainees and their families.
• Community groups protested the raids, emphasizing immigrant rights and increased fear within Pomona’s workforce.
On the morning of April 22, 2025, immigration officials carried out a well-coordinated operation in Pomona 🇺🇸, California, arresting more than a dozen people—mainly day laborers—outside a local Home Depot. This event not only shook the day laborer community but also drew swift protest and widespread fear among immigrants, their families, and advocates across Southern California. Reports of marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles, broad detentions, and the sharp response from community leaders have made this one of the most discussed enforcement actions in recent months.
A Closer Look at the Operation: Who, What, Where, and How
Witness accounts and local advocacy organizations confirmed that the major enforcement action took place at the Home Depot parking lot on Towne Avenue in Pomona, starting at about 8 a.m. and lasting for about an hour. Both videos from the scene and statements from witnesses show a strong presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vehicles—some marked, some not—pulling up and surrounding groups of day laborers, also known by the Spanish word “jornaleros.” Most of the people arrested were there simply hoping to find work.
Authorities involved in the raid stated that their primary target was a person with an existing arrest warrant due to immigration violations. During this operation, though, the net widened: nine other undocumented individuals were also detained, many with earlier criminal charges such as assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse, driving under the influence (DUI), or previous immigration-related prosecutions.
A second, related arrest occurred that same morning when Martin Majin was picked up by federal agents outside his small business in Pomona. The specifics were similar—unmarked vehicles, a rapid approach, and a quick extraction. While Martin Majin’s case was separate from the Home Depot sweep, the similar style raised worries among residents and family members, especially because he needs regular medication for a chronic condition. His family spoke out, concerned not just for his health, but for the safety and rights of all those being targeted across Pomona.
Community Reaction and Growing Anxiety
The swift enforcement action immediately caught the attention of workers, neighbors, and several advocacy organizations. By mid-day, rallies and emergency meetings sprung up, as the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice and the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center called on residents to gather, protest, and demand answers.
Local day laborers who witnessed the arrests described waves of panic and grief. Some watched as close friends were questioned, handcuffed, and led away. As one day laborer shared, “We were only waiting for work. Now, we are afraid even to leave our homes.” This emotional toll, felt throughout Pomona and beyond, quickly became the main focus for advocates, who condemned what they regarded as heavy-handed tactics.
Many advocacy leaders argued that operations like these create an atmosphere of fear, especially among people who are often already vulnerable. There were strong statements at emergency press conferences about the dangers of targeting day workers, who add to the local economy and simply wish for honest work. Instead of focusing on public safety issues such as housing and drug abuse, critics said, these enforcement actions single out and intimidate whole communities, making daily life even harder for those just trying to get by.
Government Response: Legal Aid and Clarifications
Reacting to reports of the arrests, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis acknowledged that federal agents had detained between 15 and 20 day laborers. Recognizing the distress in the community, Supervisor Solis directed county resources toward providing legal representation to those arrested. One main program, RepresentLA, is now offering legal help to the affected families, making it clear that local government leaders stand behind the right to fair legal counsel for everyone, no matter their immigration status.
The Pomona Police Department moved to clarify their position, stating that they had no involvement in or knowledge of the federal operation at Home Depot, and did not coordinate with federal immigration officials before or during the arrests. This important detail eased some concerns that local law enforcement may have participated in the sweeps.
Spotlight on Rights: Messages from Attorneys and Advocates
Legal experts and immigrant rights groups took the opportunity to remind everyone of their rights when approached by officials. Even if someone does not have documents, they still have basic rights under the U.S. Constitution. This includes:
- The right to remain silent and not answer questions about immigration status.
- The right to speak with an attorney before agreeing to any interviews or providing details.
- The right to refuse entry into a home or business without a signed warrant from a judge.
Knowledge of these rights became a rallying point, with local groups handing out flyers and holding “Know Your Rights” trainings for day laborers and their families. The common message: being informed could help prevent further detentions and keep families together.
How Immigrant Communities Are Coping With Fear
The raid deeply affected the wider Pomona 🇺🇸 community. For many day laborers, being visible in public spaces like the Home Depot parking lot is a way of life, as this is often where local residents and contractors look for help with building, landscaping, and other day jobs. That same visibility, though, makes them easy targets during broad enforcement actions.
The feeling of fear remains strong. Parents reported keeping their children home from school, and adult workers are staying away from job sites, worried they could be next. Many said they now avoid public places altogether.
Leaders of immigrant advocacy groups such as the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice denounced what they described as intimidation by federal agents. They organized community hotlines and legal clinics for rapid response, so people could report enforcement actions quickly and get the support they need. One leader was quoted as saying that this is not about public safety, but about scaring a group that contributes to the local economy every day.
The Role of Home Depot in the Story
While the Home Depot site was the scene of the main arrests, store management has not been reported to have played any role in the federal operation, and there is no indication that store employees were involved. In past years, large hardware stores like Home Depot have become informal hiring sites for day laborers. Many workers rely on these parking lots as safe places to meet employers. The use of such common spaces for enforcement actions has sparked debate, with some calling for clearer protections for people seeking work and others supporting the need for stronger border enforcement.
Who Was Behind the Enforcement
This particular operation was led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Officials said Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not involved, contrary to some rumors. CBP is normally responsible for securing the country’s borders but may be called upon to help enforce immigration laws in the interior under special circumstances, especially when there are outstanding felony warrants.
During the raids, CBP reportedly identified and detained the person it set out to find, plus several others, some of whom were suspected of unrelated offenses. While government officials have said that some arrested had records of prior criminal conduct, many immigrant advocates question the fairness of tactics that lead to the broader detention of bystanders.
Legal Aftermath and Next Steps for Detainees
Following the arrests, those taken into custody face a long and difficult legal journey. For some, this may mean defending against removal (deportation) in front of an immigration judge, while others may be held for extended periods if they are found to have prior criminal histories.
Supervisor Hilda Solis’s move to activate legal aid programs is aimed at ensuring no one faces the process alone. Programs like RepresentLA work to match detainees with attorneys who can advise them of their rights, build defenses, and, where possible, advocate for their release on humanitarian grounds or because of procedural problems in the arrests.
More broadly, groups like the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center are working with families of those detained to provide social support—such as emergency food, help with rent, and counseling—at a time when entire households may be at risk of losing their main breadwinners.
Public Debate: Protection or Overreach?
This operation has led to an important public debate in Pomona 🇺🇸 and other cities. Some community members feel strongly that the presence of day laborers adds to the vibrancy and economy of the neighborhood. By offering flexible, low-cost services, day laborers help meet a real need.
Opponents of the raids argue that targeting these essential workers undermines trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Fear of arrest may stop people from coming forward to report serious crimes, witness violence, or ask for help when in danger—outcomes with broader implications for public safety.
Others instead argue that federal agencies need to carry out the law as written and that those with outstanding warrants or criminal backgrounds should be prioritized for enforcement. Government officials have pointed to the presence of serious criminal charges for some detainees, supporting the claim that actions like these are not random, but guided by broader goals of community safety. These different perspectives continue to fuel heated debate locally and throughout California 🇺🇸.
Calls for Better Communication, Transparency, and Legal Protection
In the aftermath, immigrant rights organizations called for:
- Transparent communication from immigration officials ahead of or during future operations.
- Clear steps outlining how day laborers and other workers can protect themselves from sudden enforcement.
- More resources for legal aid programs, especially those that guide families after a loved one has been detained.
- Stronger public education efforts, so immigrants better understand their constitutional protections and options.
In all, the events of April 22 have added urgency to ongoing calls for changes in U.S. immigration law and policy. Community leaders and advocates say that without more balanced strategies—focused on helping families feel safe—similar scenes will likely play out again, deepening divides between immigrants and local authorities.
Reliable Sources, Further Information, and Know Your Rights
For more information on the rights of individuals during interactions with federal officers, readers can visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Know Your Rights page, which explains constitutional protections and outlines clear steps for responding to enforcement actions.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Pomona 🇺🇸 arrests show how immigration enforcement can affect entire communities—not just the people taken into custody. Local leaders, families, and business owners all play a role in what comes next, whether through advocacy, legal support, or simply spreading the word on individual rights and community safety.
Final Thoughts: What Lies Ahead for Pomona and Beyond
The day laborer arrests outside Home Depot in Pomona 🇺🇸 are not the first of their kind, but the strong reaction—protests, emergency legal aid, and demands for more respectful treatment—may shape the way local and federal authorities act in the months to come.
With more than a dozen families now reeling from these events, trust between immigrants and officials is under strain. But the quick response by legal aid groups and active residents gives hope for a more open dialogue, focused on safer, more just outcomes for everyone.
The coming weeks will show whether calls for more balanced enforcement and information campaigns lead to better policies. For now, immigrant communities, workers, and their advocates remain organized and alert, working to protect their families and their right to work and live in peace.
Learn Today
Day laborers → Workers who wait at public locations hoping to be hired for short-term manual jobs, often in construction or landscaping.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) → A federal agency responsible for border security, immigration, and customs, sometimes involved in enforcement actions away from borders.
ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) → A government agency focused on enforcing immigration laws, conducting raids, arrests, and deportations inside the United States.
RepresentLA → A legal aid program providing free or low-cost attorneys to immigrants facing detention or deportation in Los Angeles County.
Know Your Rights → Educational resources and trainings that inform immigrants of their constitutional protections during encounters with law enforcement or immigration officials.
This Article in a Nutshell
Pomona, California, saw a coordinated CBP operation at Home Depot on April 22, 2025, leading to over a dozen arrests—mainly day laborers. The arrests sparked protests, urgent legal aid mobilization, and strong community concern about broad immigration enforcement impacts, increasing anxiety among families and highlighting the need for clear immigrant rights information.
— By VisaVerge.com
