Across the country over the past weeks, agents from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have been cracking down on illegal immigration, especially in California, which has led to protests.
On Thursday, ICE activities reportedly converged with the Dodgers, as the organization put out a statement on X that ICE agents requested access to Dodger Stadium parking lots. Federal organizations, however, denied the Dodgers’ claim amid the turmoil in Los Angeles.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
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Dodgers-ICE situation, explained
On Thursday afternoon, NBC News’ Jacob Soboroff reported that federal agents were staging outside of Dodger Stadium amidst the immigration actions that have been ongoing in Los Angeles.
federal agents at Dodger Stadium. pic.twitter.com/ZDdOAbtVhE
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) June 19, 2025
The Dodgers echoed this with a post on social media, saying that ICE agents requested permission to access Dodger Stadium parking lots, but the organization denied them entry.
This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 19, 2025
However, shortly after, the official ICE X account posted that the Dodgers’ claim was incorrect and that agents never asked to access the Dodger Stadium parking lots.
False. We were never there. https://t.co/ZquYiW0miQ
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) June 19, 2025
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security posted that the U.S. Customs and Border Control had vehicles in the area that had nothing to do with Dodger Stadium
This had nothing to do with the Dodgers.
CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement. https://t.co/nsQ8LNaHbb
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 19, 2025
The Los Angeles Times reported that the LAPD denied the story that police officers were asked to remove federal agents from Dodger Stadium. Instead, federal agents reportedly gathered near the stadium for a briefing. Police did confirm that they were asked to intervene when protesters arrived on scene shortly after this news went public.
Los Angeles has planned on helping immigrants amid the raids, but that will have to wait as the organization finalizes those plans.
“Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs,”Dodgers president Stan Kasten said in a statement, via CBS Sports. “But we are going to have to delay today’s announcement while we firm up some more details. We’ll get back to you soon with the timing.”Â
The Dodgers are set to play Thursday night against to Padres and will host the Nationals over the weekend before heading on a road trip.
MORE: Did the Dodgers ban Nezza from singing the national anthem in Spanish?
Who owns the Dodger Stadium parking lots?
According to The Los Angeles Times, the Dodger Stadium parking lots are co-owned by the team and former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.
