Immigration raids hit Long Beach car wash over the weekend, sparking community outrage

Seven Latino workers at a Long Beach car wash were detained by federal immigration agents Saturday morning. 

The raid was captured online by bystanders as the scene unfolded at the Bixby Knoll’s Car Wash, located off of Wardlow Road and Atlantic Avenue. 

The incident comes just days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could resume large-scale immigration enforcement operations across Los Angeles and seven other counties in Southern California. 

Witnesses reported four unmarked SUVs arrived around 10 a.m., blocking the entrances and exits of the car wash located at 577 E. Wardlow Rd. Agents wearing tactical vests and black masks quickly moved in, prompting several workers to flee. Within minutes, seven employees, three men and four women, were in custody.

One woman, who was captured on video being pursued by federal agents, was later seen collapsing as she was being led to a vehicle. It is unclear if she was offered medical assistance. A man recording the video can be heard shouting, “Hey, get medical aid!” as she slumped onto the concrete ground.

The general manager of the car wash, Ramón Paz, stated that at least four of those detained had documentation granting them legal status in the country, according to NBC Los Angeles. 

Immigrant rights organizations have continuously spoken out against the ongoing raids happening throughout Latino communities in Southern California. Long Beach is home to over 200,000 Latino residents, many of whom come from immigrant backgrounds

The car wash is one of many businesses that have been affected by the presence of federal immigration officers throughout the Long Beach area. Community advocates say that similar recent sweeps have netted not only undocumented immigrants but also U.S. citizens and those with legal residency who have "interfered" with federal operations.