The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced a $1 million pledge to provide direct financial assistance to families affected by recent immigration enforcement actions in the region. The move comes just one day after the team claimed it denied U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents access to Dodger Stadium — a claim ICE has since publicly disputed.
In a statement released Friday, Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said the team is stepping up to support local immigrant communities in the wake of growing fear and uncertainty across the city.
“What’s happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected,” Kasten said. “We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the team for its commitment, stating the arrests had “sent shockwaves of fear rippling through every neighborhood” in the city.
“My message to all Angelenos is clear: We will stick together during this time and we will not turn our backs on one another — that’s what makes this the greatest city in the world,” Bass said.
The $1 million fund, according to the Dodgers, will provide “direct financial assistance” to immigrant families affected by immigration raids — though the team did not specify which groups or partners would distribute the aid.
On Thursday, the organization claimed it denied ICE agents entry to the Dodger Stadium parking lot ahead of a game, suggesting it was taking a stand against federal immigration operations.
However, ICE quickly fired back on social media, calling the claim “False. We were never there.”
Shortly after ICE’s denial, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clarified that CBP vehicles had briefly entered the parking lot but asserted that their presence “had nothing to do with the Dodgers” and “was unrelated to any operation or enforcement.”
Photos of federal law enforcement vehicles near the stadium had triggered brief protests from community activists who believed immigration enforcement was taking place on team property.
While the donation has earned praise from progressive leaders, some critics have questioned whether the team should be inserting itself into federal immigration matters, especially as threats of violence and terrorism against ICE agents grows.
The Dodgers’ pledge also comes on the heels of another cultural flashpoint at the stadium. Just last week, a singer performed the Spanish national anthem, defying the team’s request that the performance be conducted in English. Despite the breach of protocol, the Dodgers quickly clarified that the singer would face no repercussions and would be welcomed back in the future. The incident sparked a wave of debate online but also highlighted the team’s continued effort to show solidarity with Los Angeles’ large Hispanic community.
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They can send that money to them in their home countries also. There are also plenty of Americans that could use financial help and homes to live in. Instead the government provides non citizens that broke the law coming into our Country and continue to break the law by staying with resources that our own Citizens in need can only dream about. Guess it is the sports world turn to try and create headlines. Shame!!!
How about lending your support to LEGAL immigrants.
This so messed up. They are not pro-immigrant, but pro-illegal alien criminals. I never had any desire to go visiting in California 50 years ago, and this gives me any less incentive to go there. Shameful!
kasten would be far at better served to simply adopt some of those families at his personal expense and would generate a LOT better image for himself and the organization, probably cheaper as well. Flaunting laws to make a feel good move. especially when there are – as Deplorable Mark noted LEGAL immigrants that can use support.
How about setting up a fund for the ICE agents that have had to put up with the crap in LA trying to arrest people that have broken the law?
I will NEVER buy another Dodger ticket. Also, they are not undocumented immigrants, they are illegal invaders from another country !
The Dodgers are losing fans for this. They should move to Tijuana. Tijuana Dodgers has a nice ring to it.
What a ridiculous hoax. Just how far does a million dollars go for all the illegals in California? Seriously? it is just laughable. Democrats are nuts!
How about supporting law enforcement and not illegal aliens? It’s actions like yours that brought is millions of illegal aliens sponging of US citizens, taking our money to give them better treatment than our own citizens and especially our veterans. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Aiding and Abetting is a Federal Crime. Arrest all involved.
I NEVER WAS A FAN OF THE DODGERS. THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR FRANCHIZE, AND ALL PATRIOTIC AMERICANS SHOULD BOYCOTT THEIR GAMES.
The Dodgers — The Unamerican and Disgusting Woke Team!
They just became the Biggest Losers!
Some of these unvetted Illegal Alian Immigrants belong to Terrorist
Sleeper Cells that are here to Kill as many Americans as possible.