(PASADENA, CALIFORNIA) Federal immigration agents carried out an ICE operation early Wednesday, October 27, 2025, at a busy Pasadena bus stop near Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue, leading to at least six detentions and a swift backlash from local leaders and residents. The morning action unfolded outside Winchell’s Donut House, by the Orange Grove Shopping Center, where commuters gather before dawn to catch buses to work.
Witnesses reported agents in unmarked vehicles, some masked, moving quickly on people waiting at the stop. Video shared with local outlets showed officers detaining individuals and, in one instance, an agent pointing a gun. City officials said the operation rattled families in the area, which includes small businesses and an elementary school.
Community members described the scene as tense and frightening, with people unsure if the ICE operation would continue across Pasadena or spread to other transit hubs. By evening, ICE had not released a full account of how many people were detained or the specific reasons for the detentions, and advocacy groups pressed for access to those taken into custody.
What happened at the bus stop
The operation began in the early morning, targeting people gathered for their transit rides. Multiple witnesses said agents approached individuals at the bus stop, checked identities, and took people into custody. The reported detentions included workers on their way to early shifts.
Video showed plainclothes and uniformed agents moving people into vehicles. Community observers said at least one agent raised a firearm during an arrest. Residents who came upon the scene told local reporters they were alarmed by the tactics and the location—steps from a donut shop where families and children often pass by on their way to school.
People described calls and texts spreading through the neighborhood warning others to avoid the area, which added to confusion about who was being targeted and whether more actions were underway. The City of Pasadena said it was not notified in advance and stressed that neither the city nor its police department takes part in federal civil immigration enforcement.
Official response and wider context
ICE said its officers were prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing criminal offenders and immigration violators, while noting that anyone in violation of U.S. immigration law may be subject to arrest and removal. The agency has maintained that field teams focus on individuals with prior criminal histories or recent immigration violations, though it has also stated that enforcement actions can involve others encountered during operations.
For general information on enforcement practices and custody processes, readers can consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Local officials, including Pasadena’s mayor and Congresswoman Judy Chu, condemned the raids and called for detailed information from federal authorities. They urged:
- Access to those detained
- Clear notice to families
- Respect for civil rights
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, public demands for transparency mirror responses seen in recent Southern California sweeps, where local leaders sought data on arrests, criminal charges, and removal actions before offering further comment.
Regional pattern and community impact
Pasadena’s concerns reflect a broader regional increase in enforcement. Similar actions were reported in Los Angeles and other cities across Southern California in recent weeks. Advocates said the timing and tactics—unmarked vehicles, early-morning stops near public transit, and high-traffic community locations—spread fear and disrupted daily routines for mixed-status families and workers.
Business owners near the bus stop described a morning of uncertainty:
- Customers left quickly
- Some employees stayed home
- Employers told staff to work remotely where possible
School staff near the corridor reported families calling to ask whether it was safe to walk children past the intersection.
The City of Pasadena said it joined legal efforts aimed at halting what it characterized as aggressive and dangerous federal enforcement practices in the area. City leaders argued that these actions:
- Generate widespread fear
- Disrupt local commerce
- Pull police resources away from other public safety work
While city and county governments do not control federal enforcement, they can bring legal challenges focused on constitutional claims, information sharing, and the use of local facilities.
Information gaps and legal concerns
As of Wednesday evening, the situation remained fluid. ICE had not released names, charges, or transfer locations for the people detained in the Pasadena operation. Attorneys and advocacy groups were trying to confirm where those detained were being held and whether any had access to counsel.
Families and friends gathered near the bus stop, hoping for updates. For those worried about loved ones taken during the ICE operation, attorneys recommend:
- Gather key documents:
- Any prior immigration papers
- Identification records
- Write down the time and place of the detention
- Keep notes on phone calls received from detention centers, including:
- Facility name
- Any booking or reference numbers
While local police do not handle immigration custody, they can confirm whether someone was taken for criminal matters. Otherwise, families often check with immigration detention hotlines or legal service providers.
Legally, detentions during field actions can lead to varied outcomes:
- Reinstated removal orders for people with prior deportation orders
- Processing for immigration court, where detainees can seek bond or present defenses
- Expedited removals or longer court proceedings depending on case circumstances
Rights, communication, and community response
The operation raised immediate questions about communication between federal and local authorities. Pasadena officials reiterated that the city does not participate in civil immigration enforcement and does not conduct immigration status checks during routine policing.
Community groups urged residents to know their rights during federal encounters, such as:
- The right to remain silent
- The right to ask for a lawyer
They also advised keeping interactions calm and brief. The city asked residents to:
- Stay calm
- Verify information before sharing
- Avoid spreading rumors on social media
Officials requested community members share any footage or details that could help confirm timelines and practices used during the operation. Community organizations planned know-your-rights sessions, with interpreters for Spanish and other languages common in the neighborhood.
The Pasadena operation underscored the human stakes of immigration enforcement: detentions at a public bus stop, outside a donut shop many consider part of their daily routine, carried a strong message—one that residents said felt out of step with local values.
As legal filings move forward and federal officials face calls for a public accounting, families and employers alike await answers about what happened on October 27, who was taken, and what comes next for those now in custody.
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 27, 2025, federal immigration agents conducted an early-morning ICE operation at a Pasadena bus stop near Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue, detaining at least six people. Witnesses described unmarked vehicles, plainclothes and masked agents, and video evidence showing forceful tactics, including an agent pointing a gun. Pasadena city officials said they were not notified and condemned the action for alarming families and disrupting businesses and schools. ICE stated it targets criminal offenders and immigration violators but had not released names, charges, or detention locations by evening. Local leaders, including Congresswoman Judy Chu, demanded access to detainees and greater transparency. The operation aligns with recent regional enforcement patterns, prompting community legal challenges, know-your-rights outreach, and calls for clearer communication between federal and local authorities as families and employers seek information on those detained.
