Demonstrators Gather as Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents Sighted in Pasadena

A protest grew outside the AC Hotel at Colorado Boulevard and Madison Avenue on Sunday morning after sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at multiple Pasadena hotels.

Dozens of people showed up at the hotel after several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were reportedly booked as guests at the AC Hotel overnight, with some seen leaving the property in the morning.

“We have received and confirmed reports that federal personnel are present in Pasadena. At this time, no enforcement activity has been confirmed,” said Mayor Victor Gordo.

“We understand the anxiety and fear that these reports can create for many in our community.”

Gordo urged the community to remain calm, united, and peaceful, and not be baited or provoked into violence.

“The right to peacefully assemble and express ourselves is a fundamental part of who we are—not just as Pasadenans, but as Americans. Our City remains firmly committed to ensuring that every resident—regardless of immigration status—is treated with dignity and respect. We will continue working to make sure all our neighbors feel safe, supported, and cared for, especially during times of uncertainty.”

Additional agents were said to be registered at The Dena Hotel and the Westin Hotel, though it remains unclear how many, if any, remain in Pasadena.

So far the protest has remained peaceful.

“The City of Pasadena is aware of a gathering taking place near a location within the City and members of the Pasadena Police Department are monitoring the situation,” said City Spokesperson Lisa Derderian. “The City encourages all those in attendance to remain peaceful and law-abiding as nonviolent protest is a powerful tool for those who seek change. At this time, the City is not aware of any federal law enforcement action in the City, including those regarding immigration.”

Photographs circulated Sunday morning of Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles at the AC and Westin hotels. The pictures were shared on social media, prompting calls to join the demonstration. Pasadena Now confirmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the city earlier Sunday but could not verify any enforcement activity. As of 10:35 a.m., no Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations had been confirmed.

Pasadena Now reporter Eddie Rivera entered the AC Hotel and observed no ongoing enforcement actions. Activists and community members who gathered in the lobby were asked to leave and complied.

According to Rivera, Pasadena police arrived at the hotel just before noon Sunday in response to calls from hotel management regarding “trespassing” by local protesters.

According to one Pasadena police officer, no one in or around the hotel was questioned or arrested.

Pasadena Councilmember Rick Cole confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were staying three hotels—the Westin, The Hotel Dena, and the AC Hotel. Cole also confirmed that no official actions would be taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents on Sunday.

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez and Pasadena Councilmember Rick Cole were present at the protest, alongside media crews from KTLA. Demonstrators continue to rally outside the hotel in response to the agents’ presence.

“I think, especially right now for those of us here in the San Gabriel Valley, we’re still processing the fires and still processing a lot of that trauma,” Pérez said. “We have many of our mixed status families that went through the fires that are staying in all sorts of locations across the San Gabriel Valley.

“So I cannot emphasize this enough that this is not only incredibly inappropriate, but it’s also incredibly heartless.”

Pérez said she is troubled and has spoken with many attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union.

“[They have] confirmed with me that many of the people that have been arrested have not committed any crimes. These are folks that are simply undocumented and that is deeply troubling to me.”

The protest comes after recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles resulted in nearly 200 detentions and triggered a sweeping federal response, including the deployment of National Guard troops and the possible involvement of U.S. Marines.

Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) on Sunday joined a chorus of California leaders condemning the action.

A protest rally is scheduled for later today in Los Angeles.

“I stand with community leaders, labor organizers, and immigrant rights advocates to condemn the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that shook Los Angeles. We will not stay silent while our neighbors are targeted and our values are violated,” said Harabedian.

The raids, which took place Friday, targeted long-standing residents, workers, and parents, according to immigrant rights groups. The enforcement actions coincided with escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and several high-profile figures, including tech magnate Elon Musk, who recently severed ties with the administration.

Saturday saw immigration raids, and protests in response, at several locations including a Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. in Paramount where demonstrations escalated throughout the day amid repeated confrontations between protesters and federal agents, according to City News Service.

The nonviolent demonstration began with chants of “Immigration and Customs Enforcement go home” and “No justice, no peace” before federal agents lobbed multiple rounds of flash-bangs and pepper balls in response.

According to reports, at one point, a Blackhawk helicopter landed on a Paramount street containing what appeared to be large amounts of weapons and ammunition.

Video from Channel 7 showed the resupply effort near a Department of Homeland Security office at 6321 Alondra Blvd.

Fox News reported that the office was being used as a staging area for immigration raids.

Other clashes Saturday outside a federal building on Alameda Street ended with Los Angeles police officers marching side by side, then creating a line as they clashed with protesters while declaring the gathering an unlawful assembly and working to disperse even as several protesters refused to leave.

On Friday, 48 protesters were arrested following a day-long series of immigration enforcement actions in downtown Los Angeles — including the Fashion District — and the impromptu demonstration that followed.

In a statement issued Saturday, Mayor Karen Bass said “This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County. Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning.

Latino Victory Project President & Chief Executive Officer Katharine Pichardo denounced the raids as “an ongoing extremist agenda by the Trump administration designed to instill fear, divide families, and criminalize immigrant communities.” She added that “these Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are not making our communities safe… they are stripping people of their dignity and right to due process, while terrorizing advocates standing up for the civil rights that make America a democracy.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom criticized the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in a fundraising email, accusing the Trump administration of provoking unrest for political gain. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has placed Marines at Camp Pendleton on high alert, raising concerns about further escalation. Mayor Karen Bass called the show of force “unnecessary” and said local law enforcement had the capacity to manage any unrest.

President Trump praised the Guard’s efforts in a Saturday night post and hinted at broader crackdowns, saying, “These radical Left protests… will NOT BE TOLERATED.” The White House cited “violence and disorder” as justification for the military presence, despite local leaders describing the protests as largely manageable.

Three Southern California members of Congress—Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, and Derek Tran—visited the Adelanto Detention Facility Sunday morning, where many detainees are believed to be held. They were joined by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights at a news conference afterward.

Latino Victory Project called on elected officials “to speak out, take action, and reject this assault on our communities.”