It’s been nearly a year since a federal operation resulted in the detainment of undocumented immigrants in Westlake and as the community reflects on that day, some residents say the fear it created has left a lasting impact.
In a raid carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Control agents, a Penske rental truck was used in Operation “Trojan Horse” on Aug. 6, 2025, to detain undocumented day laborers outside a Home Depot on Wilshire Boulevard. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the operation resulted in the arrest of 16 undocumented immigrants from Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala.
For those who remain undocumented in the Los Angeles neighborhood, the operation left some community members feeling anxious even almost a year later.
“They opened the doors, came out running and started rushing toward the people,” Marco Garnica recalled. “They just grabbed people without even asking about their citizenship status, without providing a warrant or anything.”
Alexander Cordova, a gardener, said he and others in the community had never experienced anything like it. He said that although he wasn’t there to witness any operations in person, he’s continued seeking work outside the Home Depot despite constant fear in the area.
Due to the initial operation and other ones that were carried out in the city, work opportunities have dwindled. Rose Garcia, a U.S. citizen who built a life in Westlake after arriving from Mexico, said the diminished work has impacted her livelihood.
“Money doesn’t stretch like it used to,” she said.
Last year’s enforcement operations were part of President Donald Trump’s pledge to carry out mass deportations as part of his campaign promise.