Los Angeles Day Laborers Trapped Between Desperation and Deportation

Los Angeles is one of the main targets of ICE raids on day laborers. In an effort to avoid detection, they have changed their tactics and now seek work through networking and meet contractors at random locations. However, this has not stopped over 500 day laborers from being arrested since the beginning of 2025.

Erwin, a 31-year-old from Guatemala, is one such individual who was recently caught by ICE agents in Los Angeles. He had been fired from his job at a recycling plant due to his undocumented status and has been struggling to find work ever since. 'I'm scared, but I don't have a single cent to buy food,' he says.

Pablo Alvarado, head of the National Day Laborer Network (NDLON), estimates that ICE operations have moved away from Home Depot stores, where day laborers would often congregate in search of work. However, this has not stopped the raids, which have now expanded to construction sites and traffic lights.