ICE in Pasadena: Here’s What We’ve Covered So Far Today

Here’s an update at 6 p.m. of Wednesday’s events involving immigration officials that kept local residents on edge on Wednesday.

At least six people were detained by ICE agents in Pasadena on Wednesday. Photos circulated of ICE agents at several other locations in Pasadena. It is not known if anyone was detained at those meetings.

The incident about which most is known occurred early Wednesday morning on Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue.

Wednesday afternoon, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors Janice Hahn issued the following statement after two men were reportedly detained by ICE at a bus stop in Pasadena:

“The way that ICE is going about these sweeps is terrifying people. We have already seen kids not going to school, people avoiding shopping, church, and even going to work. I wouldn’t be surprised if after people read about this incident that we see more people avoid taking Metro. This isn’t right. The fear they are spreading is doing profound harm in our communities.”

Hahn has directed Metro staff to report back to the board about Metro’s protocols if ICE agents board a bus or train.

“I know the options will be limited but I want Metro to do everything in our power to protect our riders.”

• A vigil was scheduled to be held near the bus stop at 6 p.m. to demand “ICE out of Dena.” Pasadena Now’s Eddie Rivera is at the vigil.
• Mayor Victor Gordo and Congresswoman Judy Chu were scheduled to visit the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles where the six people are reportedly being held.
• Gordo’s plans to visit the center and the need for City staff to continue to look into Wednesday’s events forced City officials to cancel the City Council’s Public Safety Committee meeting. A meeting to discuss issues on Washington Boulevard was also canceled.
• A suspicious package temporarily shut down the METRO station on Holly Street on Wednesday and prompted street closures. Holly Street was closed to traffic between Marengo and Garfield avenues. Originally some local residents though the event was a second ICE raid.