Parking lots at Home Depot locations across the U.S. have become eerily quiet, a stark contrast to former bustling scenes filled with workers hoping for job opportunities.
In northern New Jersey on Tuesday, several men stood under the morning sun where just days before, groups had gathered. According to reports, similar situations play out in cities like Los Angeles and Houston, with some locations completely devoid of workers. At two Home Depot stores in LA, security guards instructed day workers to stay on the sidewalks.
In Westlake, a Latino neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles, one store appeared nearly deserted after an immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) operation recently occurred at a nearby strip mall.
The raid in LA led to significant protests and unrest, especially in the downtown area that houses federal buildings, prompting the Trump administration to mobilize thousands of National Guard troops.
This operation is part of ICE’s intensified crackdown on undocumented workers, dismantling a long-standing system that has allowed contractors to easily find labor.
Local advocacy groups report that similar actions have taken place at multiple Home Depot locations, leading to protests and community outcry.
For many years, Home Depots in large cities have acted as informal job centers. Although the company prohibits soliciting on its property, this arrangement has persisted, serving both undocumented workers and contractors looking for flexible labor. Despite being unofficial, this system has been beneficial for everyone involved—jobs get done, and payments are made.
Martha Arevalo, the executive director of the Central America Resource Center in Los Angeles, pointed out that these recent raids have thrown this balance into disarray.
Her organization supports day workers by offering basic services and vocational training, but she noted a significant decline in foot traffic recently. “We used to have hundreds of workers in that parking lot,” she said. “Now, there are just a few. On Friday alone, eight people were taken into custody.”
The Westlake raid was just one of several coordinated efforts over the weekend, with immigration rights groups reporting a similar sweep in Pomona that resulted in the arrest of nine Guatemalan workers outside Home Depot.
This has led to legal actions, with federal judges intervening to block the swift removal of individuals, raising questions about constitutional rights.
Home Depot stated that it has maintained a long-standing prohibition against solicitation on its property and does not endorse informal labor activities. A spokesperson for the company noted, “We are not informed in advance of these actions and are not engaged in this business.” They also indicated that employees would be encouraged to leave if they felt uncomfortable after witnessing ICE activities.
However, advocates like Arevalo criticize Home Depot for lacking meaningful involvement in the communities they benefit from. “We’ve attempted to collaborate with Home Depot on issues like bathroom access and safety measures, but progress has been slow,” she remarked.
This stance has drawn criticism from multiple sides. Immigration hardliners contend that undocumented workers are impeding the chain’s operations, while labor advocates argue that the company should do more to safeguard vulnerable populations that indirectly support its customer base—especially contractors reliant on smaller projects.
The recent surge in actions has been influenced by White House adviser Stephen Miller, a key figure in shaping Trump’s immigration policies, who has reportedly targeted informal labor hubs like Home Depot parking lots to send a strong message.
“The entire Trump administration is united in this effort. We’re committed to fulfilling the president’s promise to deport individuals living here illegally,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. “If a violent mob confronts federal law enforcement, they will be held accountable.”
This piece seeks comments from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.
