Seven car wash workers detained at Bixby Knolls raid in Long Beach

(Federal agents detained seven employees during an immigration raid at Bixby Knolls Car Wash in Long Beach on September 13, 2025, shutting down operations and intensifying fear across local immigrant neighborhoods.) According to general manager Ramon Paz, agents arrived around 10 a.m., blocked exits, and arrested four women and three men without presenting warrants. Surveillance video and eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene in which one woman collapsed and required medical aid. As of Sunday, DHS and ICE had not disclosed her condition or provided details about access to counsel for those held.

The raid, the latest in a wave targeting car wash workers in Southern California, forced the immediate closure of the Bixby Knolls site. Workers have not been told when they can safely return. Families gathered outside seeking updates, while community groups scrambled to connect detainees with lawyers. A GoFundMe for Karla Martinez Bardales, a worker who has lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than three decades, raised over $8,400 within hours to cover legal costs, organizers said.

Raid details and immediate fallout

The operation echoed recent enforcement patterns: teams arriving without prior notice, securing a perimeter, detaining staff on-site, and transporting them for processing. Paz, a naturalized U.S. citizen who has worked in the area for years, condemned the sweep and said many of the workers are parents and longtime residents.

Staff members described panic, with some calling relatives from behind locked doors as agents moved through the property. Local advocates reported that other car washes have seen similar actions since mid-summer.

CLEAN Carwash Worker Center estimates that nearly 160 car wash workers across Los Angeles and Orange counties have been detained since June 6, 2025. In Long Beach alone, advocacy group ÓRALE says more than 30 workers have been detained since August, including nine in raids on August 17 and two on Labor Day (September 1). Saturday’s operation at Bixby Knolls Car Wash fits the pattern: workers detained at their job site, a sudden shutdown, and no immediate clarity on legal process.

The broader community impact was immediate. Families postponed routine errands. Some residents skipped work and even delayed doctor visits out of fear of large enforcement actions at public places. City officials acknowledged the anxiety and said they are reviewing options to support affected neighborhoods. Nonprofit leaders urged calm while arranging legal clinics and delivering emergency aid to families who lost a paycheck overnight.

Policy backdrop and legal tension

The raid came just days after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed federal immigration authorities to resume roving patrols in parts of California and to consider race, ethnicity, and language as factors during enforcement. The decision reversed a July order that had barred such profiling and has become a flashpoint in the region. Civil rights attorneys warn the policy change may widen who gets stopped and questioned, particularly in Latino and immigrant neighborhoods.

At City Hall, Long Beach City Attorney Dawn McIntosh said the city remains opposed to the ruling and will keep seeking legal remedies with other municipalities. On September 10, McIntosh pledged to continue fighting for constitutional protections in court despite the setback.

City leaders also took precautionary steps in public spaces. Councilmember Mary Zendejas said organizers canceled the 2025 Día de los Muertos Parade and the Arte y Ofrendas Festival, citing fears that federal enforcement could target events that draw immigrant families. That cancellation delivered a cultural and economic blow to vendors, artists, and service workers who count on seasonal income.

Nationally, the stepped-up approach mirrors a larger shift. According to recent media tallies cited in coverage, 58,000 undocumented immigrants have been taken into custody nationwide since the current president took office in January 2025. Advocates say the concentration of raids at car washes—where workers are often paid hourly and may lack stable papers—signals a focus on industries seen as vulnerable.

VisaVerge.com reports that enforcement in sectors like car washes, food service, and small-scale manufacturing tends to surge when federal priorities emphasize quick arrests and visible operations.

Attorneys interviewed by local organizations describe a period of legal uncertainty. The Supreme Court decision has already reshaped field practices, but more litigation is expected in federal district court on the core question of profiling. Lawyers are advising noncitizens—especially those without current status—to:

1. Carry identity and immigration documents when possible.
2. Avoid confrontations and conflicts in public and at work.
3. Seek rapid legal help if a family member is detained.

This guidance is meant to minimize risk while more definitive rulings are pending.

Community response and practical guidance

The response in Long Beach spans city offices, legal groups, and neighborhood networks. Long Beach Forward Executive Director James Suazo appealed for donations to relief funds that cover rent, groceries, and childcare for families affected by the raids. CLEAN Carwash Worker Center and ÓRALE are logging detentions, coordinating with attorneys, and arranging transportation for court dates once cases move forward.

Across the city, faith leaders checked on congregants and shared hotlines in multiple languages.

Practical steps for impacted families include:

• Keep copies of key papers—such as prior immigration receipts, work authorization cards, or court notices—in a safe, easy-to-reach place.
• Use the official ICE Detainee Locator: https://locator.ice.gov to find custody location and request attorney contact as soon as possible.
• Do not sign documents without reviewing them with a qualified attorney or accredited representative.
• Prepare a caregiver plan so a trusted adult can pick up children from school in an emergency.
• Request employment records from employers that may help establish time in the U.S., wages, or workplace ties.

Local officials say they are working to connect families with legal clinics and reputable nonprofit providers, warning that private solicitations can sometimes lead to scams. City staff also urged residents to rely on known community partners for updates rather than rumors spreading on social media.

Economic and personal consequences

Economically, the impact is already visible. The closure of Bixby Knolls Car Wash—even if temporary—cuts off wages for a crew that often lives week to week. Other car washes have reduced hours or staggered shifts because workers are afraid to travel. Nearby small businesses that depend on car wash traffic, like food stands and corner markets, also reported fewer customers over the weekend.

The personal toll is harder to measure. Families described children afraid to attend after-school programs, adults skipping dialysis or therapy, and older residents avoiding parks. Advocates say this climate can outlast the news cycle, especially if raids continue. The sudden decision to cancel major cultural events illustrates how enforcement policy now shapes daily life: what people attend, where they shop, and how safe they feel moving around their own city.

Saturday’s arrests raise legal questions courts will likely confront in coming weeks:

• When, if ever, may race or language factor into an officer’s decision to stop or question someone?
• What documentation must officers show in workplace operations?
• How quickly must detainees be offered medical care and access to counsel?

For now, there is no uniform answer. Families of the seven detained on Saturday say they still have not received full information on custody status, charges, or next steps.

Aid priorities and business responses

Advocates say the most urgent needs are legal defense and rent support. Much of the money raised in the community will go toward:

• Attorney retainers and bond
• Basic bills and emergency childcare
• Transportation to visits if detainees are moved to distant facilities

Groups organizing aid are also tracking court dates and sharing verified information about hearings.

For businesses, owners are weighing how to keep doors open while protecting staff. Some employers are holding know-your-rights briefings, while others are considering temporary closures. Managers worry that any sudden encounter with federal agents could shut down a full day of work and trigger lasting worker shortages.

At Bixby Knolls, Paz said he wants to reopen, but not at the cost of putting workers in harm’s way.

Official response and next steps

Federal agencies have not publicly detailed the legal basis for Saturday’s operation, nor have they responded to questions about medical care provided to the woman who collapsed. Locally, officials are preparing for more enforcement actions. They point to the Supreme Court decision and recent patterns across Los Angeles County as evidence that the pace may not slow soon.

Attorneys expect a new district court ruling to clarify limits on profiling, but timing remains uncertain.

In the meantime, Long Beach residents are adapting in quiet, practical ways:

• Sharing rides to avoid traveling alone
• Storing documents in phone apps and paper folders
• Checking school pickup lists and keeping emergency numbers visible
• Relying on community groups that plan pop-up legal clinics near transit lines and grocery stores

“Seek legal help early, do not panic, and rely on trusted sources for updates,” community groups emphasize in both Spanish and English.

The events at Bixby Knolls Car Wash mark a turning point in how immigration enforcement is felt on the ground. What began as a Saturday morning shift has shifted the conversation in Long Beach—from policy debates in courtrooms to families figuring out how to get through the week.