Dodgers Deny ICE Access Amid Protests, Confusion at Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles - A whirlwind of confusion and protest swept through Dodger Stadium on Thursday, as the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed they turned away U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents seeking access to the ballpark’s parking lots. ICE, however, fired back with a blunt denial, insisting their agents were never even at the stadium. "False. We were never there," ICE stated on social media, throwing a curveball at the team’s narrative.

The plot thickened when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) admitted their vehicles were briefly in the stadium’s parking lot but claimed it was unrelated to any enforcement operation or the Dodgers themselves. The presence of law enforcement, mistaken for ICE, sparked immediate backlash, with protesters flocking to the stadium. Social media posts called for "mass mobilization" and hurled fiery rhetoric, demanding authorities leave the city.

Amid the chaos, the Dodgers remained tight-lipped about the protests but signaled plans to announce support for immigrant communities later Thursday. The team’s silence contrasted with the vocal stance of players like veteran Enrique Hernández, who took to Instagram to express outrage over the treatment of immigrants in Los Angeles, calling the city his "second home" and condemning abuses against the community.

The controversy follows a weekend where local singer Nessa stirred debate by performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Spanish as a protest against ICE raids. While she faced death threats, she stood firm, buoyed by support from Latin celebrities. Other LA sports teams, like Angel City F.C., joined the cause, distributing "Immigrant City Football Club" T-shirts to fans in solidarity.

This incident unfolded against the backdrop of nationwide "No Kings" protests, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. As tensions simmer, Dodger Stadium remains a focal point for both sports and societal debates.