Homeland Security Investigations spotted in Boyle Heights

On Tuesday, June 3, Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was spotted at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights.

Ron Gochez, who is a member of the Union Del Barrio Coalition, confirmed that community members were sending over videos and photos of HSI officers inside Mariachi Plaza and at the Los Angeles Metro Station.

Following protocols when spotting any immigration officer, individuals must send date and time stamps. Immigration officers were seen about 9:15 a.m. in the morning by members of the Community Self-Defense Coalition (CSO), which is known for organizing and conducting daily patrols to protect and prevent ICE raids from happening in communities across the Southland.

When members of the coalition arrived at the scene for an immigration check, they started to take pictures of the HSI officers and told them to leave. “They all got in their black cars and quickly left the area,” Gochez said.

CSO members were able to get in their vehicles and drive behind the HSI officers to follow them, but before losing sight of them, they were heading towards White Memorial Hospital. 

Gochez said that CSO members returned to Marichi Plaza to make sure the area was safe from HSI officers. By 10:00 a.m. the area was clear and the coalition was calling all community members to rally.