Multiple People Detained in Pasadena Immigration Operation Saturday, Community Responds

[Updated]  Federal immigration authorities took multiple people into custody during early-morning operations Saturday in Pasadena’s Villa Parke area, prompting the city to cancel recreational activities and sparking a community protest attended by hundreds.

The operations, which witnesses said involved armed officers who drove unmarked vehicles and wore vests marked “police” but lacked clear agency identification, took place at two locations around 6:30 a.m. 

Two men were detained at an apartment complex in the 500 block of N. Marengo Avenue and three more near a street vendor in the Villa Parke area.

In response to social media reports of the federal enforcement activity, the City of Pasadena canceled all programming Saturday at Villa Parke, Robinson Park and Victory Park, including swim lessons and community events. City officials said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” while parks remained open.

On Sunday, a city spokesperson said all usual city operations were back in place “at this point. Swimming was cancelled today but all participants were notified.”

Witnesses Saturday said three men were detained while buying tamales from a street cart operated by Carmen, a vendor who has worked at the corner of Parke Street and N. Garfield Ave. for more than 15 years. Carmen’s daughter, Sandra, said her mother was threatened with arrest despite having proper documentation. Both Carmen and Sandra are legal U.S. citizens, Sandra said.

“She told me that they had taken three from here,” Sandra told Pasadena Now’s Eddie Rivera. “When I got here, she was literally shaking. My mom suffers a critical heart condition.”

Sandra said the operation began around 6:40 a.m. when officers “pulled up with guns and everything” and detained three customers from Central America and Mexico who regularly bought from Carmen.

At the Marengo Avenue apartment complex, which is known to house many local workers and day laborers, witnesses described federal agents entering the building and detaining several people, though the exact number remains unclear.

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, who represents Pasadena and spoke at Saturday’s community response, said she plans to introduce legislation on Monday in Sacramento requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to identify themselves with nameplates or badges showing their agency.

“People are scared to go outside, they’re scared to even enjoy themselves, and that includes American citizens,” Pérez said. “I’ve started carrying my passport on me. I’m a state senator.”

An estimated 200 to 300 people attended an evening march and vigil at Villa Parke, where Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo and other local officials spoke to residents. Protesters carried signs reading “ICE out of Dena” as community leaders called for unity and protection of immigrant residents.

The Pasadena operation was part of ongoing ICE enforcement activities across Los Angeles County that began in early June. Reports indicate federal agents have been conducting apprehensions in various public and private settings, often operating in unmarked vehicles without visible badges and wearing street clothes, generating widespread fear within immigrant communities.

Witnesses said the federal agents Saturday did not clearly identify themselves or their agency beyond the “police” designation on their vests. 

Pasadena Vice Mayor Jess Rivas, who attended the evening protest, described the morning operation as lacking proper identification protocols.

ICE officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the Pasadena operation or the total number of people detained. The current status of those taken into custody was not immediately known.

Garcia said her family’s tamale business has operated in the Villa Parke area since she was 5 years old, with her grandmother starting the operation more than 15 years ago.

“We’re proud to say that we come from legal immigrants,” Garcia said. “Me, I’m a U.S. citizen and I will raise my voice [because] it matters.”