Day laborer centers were hit hard by ICE raids. Advocates say $1M of the city’s budget is not enough

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Across Los Angeles, masked and armed federal immigration agents have raided day laborer centers, detaining workers and, at times, pointing their guns toward staff, according to advocates.  

In one raid last fall, federal agents entered the day laborer center in Cypress Park — which is private property — and threw a site coordinator to the ground, said Maegan Ortiz, executive director of the nonprofit Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, known as IDEPSCA, which operates five of the seven day laborer centers in the city.  

Ortiz said, day laborers have “disappeared” after the raids, leaving it up to the centers to locate the detention facilities where they’re being held.

Now, advocates say the $1 million allocated for the city’s seven day laborer centers is not enough to address the realities that day laborer centers are facing under the current federal administration. The proposal is part of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ $14.9 billion budget released last week.

According to IDEPSCA, 136 people have been captured by agents during the 23 immigration raids at the day laborer centers, which are located in Cypress Park, Westlake, the Fashion District, Harbor City, Hollywood, North Hollywood and Van Nuys. 

Advocates instead are asking for a total of $3 million for the seven day laborer centers, arguing that $1 million does not cover the “growing needs of the community.”

“We are seeing increases to the police department budget … Meanwhile, the day laborer centers combined have had more than 100 people kidnapped,” Ortiz told Boyle Heights Beat.

For many families, the centers have also become a lifeline after having their loved ones taken by immigration agents. The centers have provided more than $400,000 in assistance for rent, food and legal fees, according to IDEPSCA.

Ortiz also said that day laborers have been crucial in recovery efforts from the January 2025 LA wildfires.

“A lot of the workers cleaning those homes, repairing those homes, rebuilding [are] our day laborers and household workers who use our centers,” Ortiz said. “Our centers have become climate disaster hubs that help workers who are left out of the safety net system.”

“This is more than just about an immigration issue. This is an economic issue. This is a climate issue. This is a health and safety issue,” Ortiz added. “The role that day labor centers play in the economy of Los Angeles cannot be understated and should not be understated.”

Ortiz said additional funding is needed for basic security upgrades, including cameras and reinforced doors. The goal, Ortiz said, is to “make it harder for Border Patrol to go in and violate the Constitution.” 

Across Los Angeles, masked and armed federal immigration agents have raided day laborer centers, detaining workers and, at times, pointing their guns toward staff, according to advocates.

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Luis Cano

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Boyle Heights Beat

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At a budget and finance committee hearing on Friday, Ortiz and other advocates urged the city to increase the funding. Members of IDEPSCA and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), which operates the day laborer center in Westlake, also testified. 

A series of budget hearings is scheduled through mid-May. The budget needs to be approved by the City Council and signed by the mayor by July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.

“Attacks have intensified and the needs have grown significantly,” Jorge Nicolas with CARECEN told the budget and finance committee. “Day laborers are at the center … facing direct impacts of these attacks. Our response cannot remain the same while the crisis grows.”

“Maintaining decorum budget is not enough,” he added.

Joshua Erazo, an organizer at the CARECEN Day Labor Center, said he has witnessed four different raids at the Westlake center.

“I’ve been witness to the fear instilled in our community. Despite these attempts, the immigrant community continues to rise above,” Erazo said. 

“Regardless of these attacks, all the day laborer centers remain open so the community could have a space for healing,” he added. “We are grateful to be in the proposed budget … The amount is just not enough.”

Boyle Heights Beat has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment. This story will be updated if one is received.