Introduction to Operation Trojan Horse
After weeks of relative quiet, Border Patrol agents raided a Home Depot in Westlake on Wednesday as a top federal agent warned, “We’re not leaving,” and posted images of half a dozen border agents running from a Penske truck through the parking lot.
The Raid and Arrests
As many as 16 immigrants were reported rounded up and arrested in what U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Greg Bovino called “Operation Trojan Horse.” The early morning raids revived fears of more widespread sweeps that organizers had hoped would ease with a federal judge’s order, affirmed by a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel, that immigration officials cannot racially profile people or use roving patrols to target immigrants.
Reaction from Authorities
“For those who thought Immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again,” acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli posted on X, shortly after the raid. “The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government.”
Eyewitness Accounts
A day laborer, who identified himself as Cesar, said around 6:45 a.m. a yellow Penske truck pulled up to the laborers who had gathered in the parking lot. The driver told them in Spanish he was looking for workers. Several of the men gathered around the truck and then someone, it was unclear who to him, rolled up the back of the truck. Masked agents, one wearing a cowboy hat, jumped out and started chasing people. People scattered. “This is the worst feeling ever,” said Cesar, who has been going to the home improvement store to pick up work for several years.
Penske Truck Rental’s Response
Video on social media captured the moment the back of the rental truck opened. When Penske Truck Rental was asked about it, they said they were looking into it. “The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today’s operation and did not authorize this,” said Penske spokesman Randolph P. Ryerson. “Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future.” He added: “Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances.”
Impact and Previous Raids
One worker who escaped was still shaken by the experience an hour later. He identified himself as Raul, and said he saw at least eight people get arrested. “That’s one of their cars,” he said pointing to a silver Toyota sedan. The Home Depot had been one of the scenes of the first raids in June that kicked off a more than month of operations in Southern California in which civil rights lawyers say federal agents indiscriminately arrested immigrants. The raids gutted businesses, spread fear and tore apart families.
Legal Developments
On July 11, a federal judge temporarily blocked federal agents from using racial profiling to carry out indiscriminate arrests after the ACLU, Public Counsel, other groups and private attorneys sued over the practices saying that the region had been “under seige.” Department of Justice attorneys argued the order hinders them from carrying out federal immigration enforcement, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal upheld the order.
Recent Activities and Concerns
For the past weeks since the restraining order kicked in in early July, Bovino has shared photos of arrests of undocumented immigrants, stating that some had active arrest warrants. With others, he referenced a lengthy criminal history, marking the arrests as more targeted than they had been prior. But organizers say a similar operation to the raid unfolded on Monday at a Home Depot in Hollywood that was the site of a massive raid in June. That operation also sparked concerns about violations of the TRO.
Community Response
Maegan Ortiz, the executive director of the nonprofit group Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, known as IDEPSCA, said they began receiving word about an immigration operation at the Home Depot in Hollywood around 6:50 a.m. on Monday.
Conclusion
The recent raid at the Home Depot in Westlake, dubbed “Operation Trojan Horse,” has reignited fears of widespread immigration sweeps in Southern California. Despite a federal judge’s order to cease racial profiling and indiscriminate arrests, the operation has raised concerns about the continuation of such practices. The use of a Penske truck in the operation has also sparked controversy, with the company denying any knowledge or authorization of the vehicle’s use. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the authorities will proceed and whether the community will see an end to these operations.
FAQs
Q: What was the nature of the operation conducted at the Home Depot in Westlake?
A: The operation, dubbed “Operation Trojan Horse,” involved Border Patrol agents raiding the Home Depot and arresting as many as 16 immigrants.
Q: What was the method used by the agents to apprehend the immigrants?
A: The agents used a Penske truck, with the driver telling the gathered laborers that he was looking for workers, before masked agents jumped out and started chasing people.
Q: Has there been any reaction from Penske Truck Rental regarding the use of their vehicle in the operation?
A: Yes, Penske Truck Rental stated that they were not aware of their truck being used in the operation and did not authorize it, emphasizing that they strictly prohibit the transportation of people in the cargo area of their vehicles.
Q: What are the concerns raised by the community and organizers regarding the operation?
A: The concerns include the potential violation of a federal judge’s order to cease racial profiling and indiscriminate arrests, as well as the fear of continued widespread immigration sweeps in Southern California.
