The Brief

Since early June, Huntington Park residents have witnessed federal immigration agents chase, question and detain their neighbors at stores, churches and more.

The same day this week that the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security appeared in the Southeast L.A. neighborhood to help lead those operations, about 1,200 people gathered at an auditorium a few miles away to celebrate the area’s students — the graduation of Maywood Academy High School’s 230 seniors. But because of the ongoing ICE crackdowns, for many families, attending the event was marred with anxiety.

“I was really scared for my family to come out here, ‘cause I didn't know if they were going to get picked up by ICE,” said Lorraine Guzman, part of Maywood’s class of 2025.

Other Los Angeles residents have weighed the risk, too. Some schools set up live streams of the graduations for families who didn’t feel comfortable attending because of their immigration status.

But, ultimately, thousands of families poured onto Los Angeles Unified school campuses to celebrate, in many languages, their seniors’ accomplishments in person, and to shower them with gifts and hugs.

“It's really hard not to feel angry and just really stuck with everything that's going on in the world,” said Wilson High School graduate Hanna Corona. “But I also think we also really wanted to celebrate all that we accomplished.”

Denise Pacheco called out of her grocery store shift to help her parents and little sister sell leis, flowers and stoles along the sidewalk outside of Wilson High School. She said: “It's really scary right now. I don't want them to get deported. I know my dad made a struggle to bring my whole family here, so I was like, ‘It's OK to give a little struggle …for them.”

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

Alexa Alvarado’s mortarboard, right, reads in English "For my mother, with the small amount she had, she gave me everything." “ She was my biggest inspiration  through completing high school and pursuing a career,” said Alvarado, who plans to study criminal justice at Cal State Fullerton in the fall and wants to become a police officer.

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

District, families prepare for the possibility of graduation raids 

Jose Eduardo Reyna’s family also debated who would attend his graduation at Wilson High School in El Sereno.

Reyna has three step-sisters who arrived in L.A. as refugees from the Mexican state of Sinaloa two years ago. His mom, Isabel, said immigration officials went to the family's home in recent weeks. The family was not there, but she saw the officials on their home cameras. LAist agreed not to publish Isabel’s last name to protect the privacy of her stepdaughters.

Before deciding whether it would be safe for the whole family to attend, Isabel consulted with a website that crowdsources ICE sightings.

"They were able to come amongst all their fear, but they're here, thankfully, and enjoying it,” Isabel said.

“ It was a little bit heartbreaking,” she added, “because it should be something happy.”

Though LAUSD does not collect information about students’ immigration status, an estimated 10% of L.A. County residents are undocumented.

Board Vice President Rocío Rivas spoke at Wilson High School's graduation Tuesday evening. The three stripes on her robe's sleeves represent the doctorate she earned from Columbia University. She said: " I always mention I'm a proud Mexican immigrant because I want [the students] to see themselves reflected in me and vice versa. It was a lot of sacrifice and for me it's an honor because I'm the first one in my family to have a doctorate."

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

Ahead of the graduation ceremonies, LAUSD leaders announced that school police would be deployed to set up a loose perimeter around these events, not all of which take place on school grounds.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said those officers could intervene and interfere if immigration enforcement officials arrived without the proper documentation to be there.

The district also directed school leaders to move attendees quickly into venues to avoid long lines outside that could be targeted by immigration raids and allow attendees to shelter in the venue should one occur.

A friend and student, taken

At the Maywood Academy graduation, at least two LAPD officers were stationed close to the auditorium entrance. On their way out, two L.A. Sheriff’s deputies sat in a golf cart next to a vendor peddling leis and graduation-themed toys.

Mau Trejo, an organizer with the activist group Students Deserve, also attended the Maywood graduation. They beamed with pride while watching the student activists they’ve worked with receive their diplomas. Together, they’ve advocated to end policing in schools.

For Trejo, seeing police outside the auditorium was unsettling. With so many law enforcement agencies in the area — including ICE, the National Guard and the Marines — “How can people even tell the difference?” they said.

Wilson High School sits atop Ascot Hills in El Sereno. The continuing legacy of the school's connection to the Chicano rights movement was present in students' speeches throughout the night.

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

Trejo, along with students and faculty at the graduation, said one Maywood student is currently being detained, allegedly during a check-in with immigration authorities.

According to a fundraising page, Johanna is a 10th grade asylum seeker, as well as an athlete on the swim team and a member of the hiking club. Now she, her mom and her sister are in custody at a detention center in Texas.

LAUSD declined to confirm any details about the student. In an email, a district spokesperson said: “Due to student confidentiality laws, we are unable to share private student information. However, we are currently monitoring, and through our partners, providing legal support to several students impacted by immigration enforcement activity.”

Last Monday, Superintendent Carvalho said the district was aware of at least six students whose families were affected by the raids, and that one student was allegedly detained with a parent and transported from L.A. to Texas in federal custody.

Henry Marsos tied a Mexican flag around his shoulders and decorated his mortarboard with the name of his parent’s hometown in Oaxaca. “ Es obvio que no estoy de aquí. Pues estoy feliz de haber logrado llegar hasta aquí,” Marsos said. “It’s obvious that I’m not from here, but I’m happy to have gotten here."

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

Jose Eduardo Reyna said the walkouts at Wilson High School stuck with him, even though he didn't participate. “I just feel like we had a voice,” Reyna said. His parents and grandparents are from Mexico.

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

At the Maywood graduation ceremony, Christopher Sanabria Cortes was drenched in stoles, ropes and leis. He’d also affixed a plush rat resembling Remy, the lead character in Disney’s Ratatouille, to his shoulder. “I'm feeling very proud,” he told LAist.

Asked about the ICE crackdowns over the past few weeks, his tone became somber. “I've tried to stay positive,” he said, but learning that a classmate has been detained was a big blow. “It's affecting our community at such a deep level,” he added.

Yitzel Jimenez, a history teacher who’s been at Maywood for two years, had a lot of feelings to reconcile. Coming to school and hearing about Johanna “was very devastating,” she said. Johanna “was such a valuable member of our community, and she still is.”

At the same time, Jimenez was happy to see her first class of seniors walk the stage.

“It's beautiful to see them celebrate their accomplishments, despite everything [that’s] going on,” she said.

‘What a world’

When these students started freshman year in 2021, masks and weekly COVID-19 tests were required. Since then, they’ve balanced the rigors of academics and extracurriculars with momentous elections and January’s fires.

“Your education happens within the context of this broader, historic, environmental, economic, political, and social realities. What a world we're sending you off into,” said Gregorio Verbera, Wilson's principal. “But you’re bright and talented and armed with courage and compassion.”

Verbera noted students walked out of school six times in February to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and called them “ an exercise of your constitutional rights to voice and act and live out your passions and your concerns.”

"Honestly this day and age is very scary, not just what's going on here in L.A., but what's going on globally," said John-Paul Rodriguez, a graduating Wilson High senior. His advice for other students? “ I don't think there is a correct way to go around preparing yourself. It's literally just make sure you have a strong enough chin to take the blows.”

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

“ I'm kind of scared for my parents and I know it's very hard for like my community and immigrants that come here,” Daniela Alvarado said. “This will not stop us and this just shows that we can strive for better.” When Alvarado starts studying neuroscience at UC Riverside she will be the first in her family to go to college.

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

Student activism has a long history on the Eastside. In 1968, Wilson students were the first to walk out in protest against unequal education for students of color. That walkout spread throughout East L.A. Today, those students’ actions are seen as the start of the urban Chicano rights movement.

Hanna Corona, senior class president, was among those who walked out this winter. She emceed Wilson’s graduation.

She spoke in English, but switched to Spanish to address her mother from the podium.

“ Eres mi fuerza, mi ejemplo y la razón por la que sigo adelante,” said Corona, calling her mom the reason she keeps going. “Mil veces. Gracias.”

Corona and nearly 40% of her graduating peers earned a California-wide honor, for their skill in speaking, reading and writing in more than one language.

“Never forget to be proud of where you come from and of the people who helped you get here,” Corona told them. “When you walk across the stage, do it with pride for yourself, for your families, and for those who couldn't be here beside us, but whose sacrifices carried us forward.”

The mortarboard of Julie Franquez, who will attend Cal State Fullerton to study chemistry and plans to become a nurse. Her summer plans include getting a job “to  help my family out just give back to my parents throughout the summer.”

(

Mariana Dale

/

LAist

)

At Maywood, meanwhile, salutatorian Mayah Rhianna Flores, standing beside school authorities, said walking out of class earlier this year “was one of my proudest moments.”

“As we marched through our local streets, we made our voices heard,” she said. “We will be remembered as the class that made a difference. A class that stood up for what we believe in, who spoke up for our parents and grandparents when they were told they didn't have a voice. We were united not only by our culture, but by our shared belief that education can help us fight for justice and freedom. I'm incredibly proud to call myself a member of this class.”

Atop their white robes, several of her classmates wore stoles resembling the flags of countries their families hail from. Many of their caps also bore the same message: “Para mis padres” — “For my parents.”

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Since 1977, Richard Santillan has been to every Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium. 

“The tradition goes from my father, to me, to my children and grandchildren. Some of my best memories are with my father and children here at Dodger Stadium,” Santillan told The LA Local, smiling under the shade of palm trees near the entrance to the ballpark Wednesday morning. He was there to protest the team less than 24 hours before Opening Day.

Santillan, like countless other loyal Dodgers fans, is grappling with his fan identity over the team’s decision to accept an invitation to the White House and owner Mark Walter’s ties to ICE detention facilities.

More than 30 people joined Santillan on Wednesday morning for a press conference held near 1000 Vin Scully Drive to convey a message directly to the team. 

“We are demanding the Dodgers stop participating in funding of inhumane treatment of families and do not go to the White House to celebrate with the criminal in chief,” Evelyn Escatiola told the crowd. “Together, we have the power to make a change.”

Escatiola, a former dean of East Los Angeles College and longtime community organizer, urged fans to flex their economic power by “letting the Dodgers know that we do not support repression.”

Jorge “Coqui” Rodriguez, a lifelong Dodgers fan, spoke to the crowd and called on Dodgers ownership to divest from immigration detention centers owned and operated by GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Jorge Coqui H Rodriguez speaks at a press conference outside Dodger Stadium on March 25, 2026, to demand the Dodgers not to visit the White House following their 2025 World Series win.

(

J.W. Hendricks

/

The LA Local

)

In a phone interview a day before the protest, Rodriguez told The LA Local he did not want the Dodgers using his “cheve” or beer money to fund detention centers. 

“They can’t take our parking money, our cacahuate money, our cheve money, our Dodger Dog money and invest those funds into corporations that are imprisoning people. It’s wrong,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez considers the Dodgers one of the most racially diverse teams and said the players need to support fans at a time when heightened immigration enforcement has become more common across L.A.

The team’s 2025’s visit to the White House drew ire from the largely Latino fan base, citing the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants. 

In June, the team came under further scrutiny when rumors swirled online that federal immigration agents were using the stadium’s parking, which immigration authorities later denied in statements posted on social media accounts.

The team again came under fire after not releasing a statement on the impacts of ICE raids on its mostly Latino fan base at the height of immigration enforcement last summer. The team later agreed to invest $1 million to support families affected by immigration enforcement.

When he learned the Dodgers were pledging only $1 million to families in need, Rodriguez called the amount a  “slap in the face.” 

“These guys just bought the Lakers for billions of dollars and they give a million dollars to fight for legal services? That’s a joke,” Rodriguez said. “They need to have a moral backbone and not be investing in those companies.”

According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershawsaid last week that he is looking forward to the trip.

“I went when President [Joe] Biden was in office. I’m going to go when President [Donald] Trump is in office,” Kershaw said. “To me, it’s just about getting to go to the White House. You don’t get that opportunity every day, so I’m excited to go.”

The Dodgers have yet to announce when their planned visit will take place. 

Santillan sometimes laments his decision to give up his season tickets in protest of the team. His connection to the stadium and the memories he has made there with family and friends will last a lifetime, he said. On Thursday, he will uphold his tradition and be there for the first pitch of the season, but with a heavy heart.

“It’s a family tradition, but the Dodgers have a lot of work to do,” he said.

A local favorite mom-and-pop bookshop in Eagle Rock is facing displacement due to a steep rent hike. The owners say theirs is just one of several small businesses along Eagle Rock Boulevard struggling to keep up with lease increases.

Over the past 19 years, many in the neighborhood have come to love READ Books for its eclectic collection of used titles and shop dog Florence.

Co-owner Jeremy Kaplan said it’s been a delight to grow with the community over the years.

“Like seeing kids come back in, who were in grade school and now they’re in college,” Kaplan said.

But the building where Kaplan and wife Debbie rent was recently sold, and the rent increased by more than 130% to $2,805 a month, Kaplan said. He told LAist it was an increase his small business simply could not absorb.

Kaplan said he originally was given 30 days notice of the rent increase. After some research, assistance from Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office and some pro-bono legal help, Kaplan said he pushed back and got the 90-day notice he’s afforded by state law.

California Senate Bill 1103 requires landlords to give businesses with five or less employees 90 days’ notice for rent increases exceeding 10%, among other protections.

Systems Real Estate, the property management company, did not immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.

What can small businesses do? 

Nadia Segura, directing attorney of the Small Business Program at pro bono legal aid non-profit Bet Tzedek said California law does not currently allow for rent control for commercial tenancies.

Outside of the protections under SB 1103, Segura said small businesses like READ Books don’t have much other recourse. And even then, commercial landlords are not required to inform their tenants of their protections under the law.

“There’s still a lot of people that don’t know about SB 1103. And then it’s very sad that they tell them they have these rent increases and within a month they have to leave,” Segura said.

She said her group is seeing steep rent hikes like this for commercial tenants across the city.

“We are seeing this even more with the World Cup coming up, the Olympics coming up. And I will say it was very sad to see that also after the wildfires,” Segura said.

Part of Bet Tzedek’s ongoing work is to advocate for small businesses, working with landlords who are increasing rents to see if they are willing to give business owners longer leases that lock in rents.

What’s next 

After READ Books posted about their situation on social media, commenters chimed in to express their outrage and love for the little shop.

While he looks for a new spot, Kaplan says he’s forming a coalition of local businesses and activist groups to see what can be done to help other small businesses facing similar displacement. He wants to address the displacement issue for businesses like his, which have made Eagle Rock the distinctive neighborhood that it is today.

Owl Talk, a longtime Eagle Rock staple selling clothing and accessories in a unit in the same building as READ Books, is facing a “more than double” rent increase, according to a post on their Instagram account.

Kaplan said he’s been in touch with the office of state Assemblywoman Jessica Caloza and wants to explore the possibility of introducing legislation to set up protections for small businesses like his, including rent-control measures or a vacancy tax for landlords. Kaplan said he also reached out to the office of state Sen. Maria Durazo.

By his count, Kaplan said there are about a dozen businesses within surrounding blocks that are at risk of closing their doors or have shuttered due to rent increases or other struggles.

When READ Books was founded during the Great Recession, Kaplan said he knew it was a longshot to open a bookstore at the same time so many were struggling to stay in business.

“It was kind of interesting to be doing something that neighborhoods needed. That was important to me growing up, that was important to my children, that was important to my wife growing up,” Kaplan said.

“And then somebody comes in and says, ‘We’re gonna over double your rent.”

Topline:

Frozen budget: Most of the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting budget comes from an assessment that people who own property illuminated by lights pay on their county property tax bill. The amount people pay depends on the kind of property they own and how much they benefit from lighting. A typical single-family home currently pays $53 annually, and in total, the assessments bring in about $45 million annually for the city to repair and maintain streetlights. Changing the amount the Bureau of Street Lighting gets from the assessment requires a vote among property owners who benefit from the lights.

Ballots: L.A. City Council’s vote gives city staff the green light to prepare and send out those ballots. Miguel Sangalang, who oversees the bureau, said at a committee meeting earlier this month that he expects to send out ballots by April 17. Notices about the ballots will be sent out prior to the ballots themselves.

Near unanimous vote: L.A. City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez was the only “No” vote Tuesday, saying she wanted to see a more current strategic plan for the bureau. Sangalang said the bureau developed a plan in 2022 that lays out how money will be spent. Councilmember Imelda Padilla was absent for the vote.

Vote count: Votes will be weighted according to the assessment amount. Basically, the more you’re asked to pay yearly to maintain streetlights, the more your vote will count. Ballots received before June 2 will be tabulated by the L.A. City Clerk.

How much more money: According to a report, the amount needed in assessments from property owners to meet the repair and maintenance needs of the city’s streetlighting in the next fiscal year is nearly $112 million.

Use of the money: Sangalang said at a March 11 committee meeting that the extra funds would be used to double the number of staff to handle repairs and procure solar streetlights, which don’t face the threat of copper wire theft. That would all potentially reduce the time it takes to repair simple fixes down to a week. Currently, city residents wait for months to see broken streetlights repaired. The assessment would come with a three-year auditing mechanism.