Fact Check: "ICE claims its agents were never at Dodger Stadium despite Dodgers' statement."
What We Know
On June 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers organization stated that they asked federal immigration agents, specifically from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to leave the Dodger Stadium parking lot after the agents arrived and requested access. The Dodgers clarified that they denied entry to the agents, asserting that the situation was unrelated to any enforcement operation (AP News). In contrast, ICE issued a statement claiming that its agents were "never there" and that the agents present were from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not ICE, and were only in the parking lot briefly for reasons unrelated to enforcement (NBC News, Fox News).
Analysis
The conflicting statements from the Dodgers and ICE raise questions about the accuracy of each party's claims. The Dodgers' assertion that they denied entry to ICE agents is supported by eyewitness accounts and media reports indicating that ICE agents were indeed present at the stadium (AP News, NBC News). However, ICE's claim that its agents were "never there" can be interpreted as a denial of their involvement in any formal operation, which aligns with the statement from Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, who clarified that the agents were from CBP and not attempting to enforce immigration laws at the stadium (AP News).
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with the AP News and NBC News being reputable news organizations. However, ICE's statement could be seen as an attempt to distance itself from the situation, particularly in light of the ongoing public sentiment against immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. This context is important, as the Dodgers have a significant Latino fan base that has been vocal about their opposition to ICE's activities (AP News).
The situation is further complicated by the presence of protests against ICE, which occurred shortly after the agents arrived at the stadium. This indicates that the agents' presence was notable enough to attract community attention and dissent (AP News).
Conclusion
The claim that "ICE claims its agents were never at Dodger Stadium despite the Dodgers' statement" is Partially True. The Dodgers did deny entry to ICE agents, who were indeed present at the stadium, but ICE's assertion that its agents were "never there" likely refers to the nature of their presence and the lack of a formal operation. Thus, while both parties have valid points, the nuances in their statements lead to a partially true verdict.
Sources
- ICE agents asked to leave Dodger Stadium parking lot, team says
- Sea ice is melting. Why business leaders must pay attention
- Dodgers block ICE agents from entering stadium in Los Angeles
- Sea level rise is a global threat - World Economic Forum
- Los Angeles Dodgers block ICE agents from the using Dodger Stadium grounds
- ICE denies sending agents to Dodger Stadium as team says turned away
