Controversial ICE and Marine Raid Shakes Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet During Father's Day Event

Santa Fe Springs, CA – On June 14, 2025, a significant operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Marines took place at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet. The raid, which reportedly included the deployment of a Marine helicopter, occurred during a Father's Day celebration and concert, a time when the venue was expected to be particularly busy and frequented by the local Latino community. Eyewitnesses described a heavy presence of armed personnel. One visitor, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, "First of all, it was a little unbelievable because I've been seeing it, and it hadn't directly happened to me. I don't live in this area, I live in the San Fernando Valley, so to see it firsthand was kind of shocking, but also very disheartening. My father came to this country in 1968 and works very hard. I know a lot of Latinos work really hard, it's just disheartening the amount of fear that they're creating." This individual also reported that agents were asking people about their origin. "I told them I was from the United States, and then they proceeded to walk away, and they took a picture of me with a specialized cellphone camera," he recounted, adding, "I took it as a personal threat. I have an uncle who served in World War II. I have an uncle who served in Korea." Reports indicate that between 40 to 50 individuals were detained during the operation, including both vendors and customers. There were also unconfirmed accounts of people being removed from restrooms. The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet, known for its vibrant Mexican cultural presence, hosts numerous vendors selling Mexican food and music, and is a popular gathering spot for Latinos in Southern California. Local authorities have not yet released comprehensive details regarding the operation, including the exact number of arrests or the specific objectives. The incident has raised questions within the community regarding the use of military assets in domestic immigration enforcement and the timing of the raid during a family-oriented cultural event.

Los Angeles Times

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