Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
At this Home Depot, neighborhood residents keep watch for immigration sweeps
Anti-ICE activists march outside the Home Depot in Pasadena in hopes that the store will protect day laborers at the facility on Aug. 6, 2025.
(
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
/
Los Angeles Times
)
Since June, the parking lots of businesses like Home Depot across Los Angeles have become places where federal agents are targeting immigration sweeps.
In response, Angelenos have taken it upon themselves to "adopt" these lots to keep tabs on enforcement actions.
People like Dayena Campbell, who moved to East Pasadena more than a year ago and has fallen in love with the community. So once the ICE sweeps started, she felt compelled to do more.
Listen
• 2:00
At this Home Depot, neighborhood residents keep watch for immigration sweeps
Support for LAist comes from
" I decided to create a community defense corner in East Pasadena, specifically at Home Depot, so that we could be a physical presence of safety for the day laborers," Campbell said.
Keeping watch from the corner
A picture of the table at the East Pasadena Community Defense Corner.
(
Dayena Campbell
/
EPCDC
)
In July, Campbell founded the East Pasadena Community Defense Corner — a volunteer-run group that patrols for ICE activity and distributes “Know Your Rights” information at the Home Depot parking lot off Walnut Street.
Her group is modeled after the National Day Laborer Organizing Network's "Adopt a Day Laborer Corner" action.
"There has yet to be a day that we haven't been at that Home Depot patrolling," Campbell said.
We know them by name
The table of the East Pasadena Community Defense Corner outside the Home Depot in East Pasadena.
(
Dayena Campbell
/
EPCDC
)
Support for LAist comes from
Every morning, Campbell and other volunteers scout the lot and patrol surrounding streets. The group also maintains a table at the Home Depot parking lot, talking with shoppers about their cause — and inviting those interested to join.
But the top priority is to be there for the day laborers who have long become part of the community.
"We know them by name. We talk to them daily," Campbell said. "They come to our table. We give them snacks. They have expressed their gratitude tenfold for what we do. A lot of them have expressed that if it wasn't for us, they wouldn't be there coming to look for work anymore."
A volunteer is seen standing at the East Pasadena Community Defense Corner table.
(
Dayena Campbell
/
EPCDC
)
Protecting neighbors
Campbell said volunteering has had its highs and lows. The group has taken pride in the fact that no one's been taken from their adopted Home Depot yet, and they wanted to keep it that way.
But not long after, Campbell texted to say that at least one day laborer was detained by federal agents at the location.
Support for LAist comes from
In her text, Campbell wrote that "about 50 volunteers" showed up within about 20 minutes of the arrest to see how they could help.
The group's response will be to continue what they've been doing, she continued.
“We will keep showing up.”
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist