A Koreatown ICE raid took place at 10 a.m. on September 3 when federal immigration agents stormed Olympic Car Wash near Olympic Boulevard and 3rd Avenue, alarming residents and business owners. According to witnesses, two SUVs with Arizona license plates arrived, and about 15 heavily armed ICE agents entered without identifying themselves. Within 5 to 10 minutes, they arrested five employees, handcuffed them, and transported them in the direction of Western Avenue. Some agents stood guard with firearms, while another in military-style uniform filmed the operation.
All five arrested individuals were confirmed to be Hispanic workers employed at the car wash. The business, which normally employs about 40 workers, had previously closed at times due to fear of immigration crackdowns. Following the raid, operations were again suspended. Soon after the arrests, between 15 and 20 relatives of the detained workers gathered outside. Many cried, protested, and made urgent phone calls for help. One resident described the scene, saying families “wept, crying out that someone’s father and husband had been taken.”
Nearby business owner Donghwan Cho, head of Orion Auto, voiced concern: “Of course criminals involved in drugs or illegal weapons should be arrested. But arresting car wash workers who live day-to-day is a different matter.” He added that if fear spreads, Hispanic workers—who make up much of the labor force at Korean American-owned businesses—may avoid coming to work, potentially forcing closures and hurting the local economy.
The Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) strongly criticized the operation. Communications Director Daejoong Yoon said, “Immigration authorities carried out a surprise raid without a warrant and without identifying themselves. Targeting specific immigrants for arrest and detention is inhumane and essentially kidnapping.” He warned that such raids devastate Hispanic families and urged the Korean American community to stand in solidarity, resist random and unfair raids, and support those detained and their families.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also issued a statement voicing concern. “This morning’s raid at a prominent Koreatown car wash is a very serious matter,” she said. “When such businesses are targeted, the entire community suffers. When breadwinners are taken, their families, neighbors, and small businesses are all deeply affected. No one should be targeted because of skin color or country of origin. Immigrant communities are the foundation of our city and deserve protection.”
The office of City Councilmember Heather Hutt, who represents the 10th District where the raid occurred, also condemned the action: “This ICE raid continues to inflict serious harm on hardworking residents and diverse communities in our district. We recognize the fear residents are experiencing and remain committed to fighting against family separation.”
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
