Fatal Incident During ICE Raid at Home Depot in Monrovia

On August 14, 2025, a man identified as Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdés, 52, from Guatemala, was fatally struck by a vehicle while fleeing from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a Home Depot in Monrovia, California. The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. local time when Montoya attempted to escape the raid, which was part of a series of recent immigration enforcement actions targeting Home Depot locations known for attracting day laborers.

CNN

The ICE operation in Monrovia resulted in the detention of at least ten individuals, as confirmed by California Assemblymember John Harabedian. Montoya ran onto the eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway, where he was hit by an SUV traveling at approximately 50 to 60 mph. Despite being transported to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, noting that Montoya was not being pursued by ICE agents at the time of the accident.

CNN

The operation in Monrovia is part of a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, which has intensified enforcement activities in Southern California. Home Depot locations have increasingly become focal points for ICE raids, as they are known gathering spots for day laborers seeking work. This trend has raised significant concerns among immigrant communities, leading to widespread fear and disruption of daily activities, including the cancellation of cultural events and religious gatherings.

LA Times

Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik expressed condolences to Montoya's family and stated that the city had not received prior communication from ICE regarding the operation. Harabedian criticized the raids, asserting that they instill fear and do not contribute to public safety. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network condemned the incident as part of a pattern of violent and chaotic enforcement actions by ICE.

CNN

Critics of the ICE operations argue that such raids are inhumane and detrimental to community safety. State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez described the raids as a "terror campaign" that has resulted in unnecessary deaths and heightened fear among immigrant populations. Advocates for immigrant rights have called for comprehensive immigration reform and have condemned the use of federal law enforcement as a tool for political intimidation.

The Guardian

While ICE stated that Montoya was not being pursued by their agents, the circumstances leading to his flight remain unclear. The California Highway Patrol has not confirmed a direct connection between the ICE operation and the fatality, and there are ongoing investigations into the incident.

CNN

The incident has sparked renewed calls for accountability and reform in immigration enforcement practices. A vigil was held in Montoya's memory, and advocacy groups are mobilizing to demand an end to such raids. Legal challenges against the Trump administration's immigration policies are expected to continue, particularly in light of a recent temporary restraining order prohibiting racial profiling in enforcement actions.

MyNewsLA.com

• “Raids like this do not make our streets safer – they terrorize families, instill fear, and put lives at risk.” — John Harabedian, California Assemblymember

The Guardian

• “Today, once again, another human being, a fellow Angeleno who sought a better life in the United States, lost his life running away from federal agents conducting one more of their lawless, cruel immigration enforcement operations.” — Angelica Salas, Executive Director of CHIRLA

Immigration Raids in LA County Spark Outrage and Condemnation

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in areas with significant immigrant populations. The implications of such operations continue to resonate within affected communities, prompting calls for reform and greater protections for vulnerable populations.

NBC Los Angeles