Key Takeaways
• Judge Sabraw halted deportation of three Guatemalan men after Pomona Home Depot raid on May 18, 2025.
• CBP detained up to 20 day laborers seeking one suspect, sparking controversy over raid methods and rights.
• Expedited removal process challenged; court to review evidence of detainees’ U.S. presence exceeding two years.
The pause on the deportation of three Guatemalan men picked up outside the Pomona Home Depot has drawn attention to the way immigration enforcement operates in the United States 🇺🇸. Judge Sabraw’s decision in May 2025 to temporarily halt these deportations doesn’t just impact these men and their families—it brings up many big questions about how such raids are done and what rights detainees really have.
What Happened at the Pomona Home Depot?
On April 22, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents arrived at the Home Depot in Pomona, California. This spot is known as a gathering place where day laborers, often immigrants, wait and hope to be hired for work. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the agents came looking for one person who had an outstanding arrest warrant. Instead, they ended up detaining between 15 and 20 people who were present at the location.
Three of the people detained that day were Jesus Domingo Ros, Edwin Roberto Juarez, and 21-year-old Yoni Ronaldo Garcia (called Johnny Garcia in some reports). Soon after, these men became the focus of a legal battle that would challenge not only their potential deportation, but also the fairness of the process used to remove them.
The Detention and Deportation Process
After being picked up at the Pomona Home Depot, the three men were handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE sent them to a federal detention facility in Calexico, located far from where they were taken. Government lawyers tried to quickly deport them using a process called “expedited removal.” In simple words, expedited removal is a fast way to deport people who are caught and presumed to have been in the country for less than a year. This process usually skips most hearings, giving people less of a chance to explain their case or provide evidence.
As immigration attorney Artudo Berga explained, “If you don’t have any evidence that you’ve been in the country for more than two years, you could be at risk of being expedited removed and that is very, very fast.” This means people can be removed in a matter of days, sometimes even before they can find a lawyer or contact their family.
But the three men and their advocates challenged the government’s claim that they had not been in the United States 🇺🇸 long enough to deserve a full hearing. For example, Yoni Garcia’s father, Bernardo, said his son had been in the United States 🇺🇸 since February 2021, which is over four years.
Legal Proceedings: Court Steps In
Soon after their detention, advocates for the men moved quickly to delay their deportation. They argued that the men’s rights were being ignored and that not enough time had been given to check how long they had actually been in the country. Originally, a bond hearing—to decide if the men could be released on bail—was scheduled, then delayed until May 9, 2025. This gave the men’s supporters more time to gather proof of their time in the United States 🇺🇸.
On May 18, 2025, Judge Sabraw issued a temporary restraining order. This legal action stops the government from deporting the men for the time being, allowing the court to carefully review their cases. With this order, the court can investigate both the circumstances of their arrest and the details of how the raid unfolded at the Pomona Home Depot.
Concerns Raised Over the Raid
News of the Pomona Home Depot immigration raid spread quickly across the community and beyond. Many people were shocked not just by the number of people detained, but by the way the operation expanded beyond its original target. While the Department of Homeland Security said they came looking for just one individual, they ended up arresting many others who happened to be there. Families and friends of the detainees gathered for several press conferences, asking for more openness about why so many were picked up.
One strong voice was Alexis Teodoro from the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center. Teodoro pointed out, “They have been here longer than two years, and again, they were only looking for work, which is their constitutional right, protected in this country.” Teodoro and others argue that looking for work, in itself, is not a crime, and the men were simply trying to earn a living when they were detained.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, there is ongoing concern that immigration enforcement may sometimes overstep boundaries, removing more people than intended and not always following fair legal processes. Experts say these concerns grow when federal agents expand the scope of their actions during community raids.
Political Leaders Step In
Political attention soon followed the Pomona Home Depot raid. Senator Alex Padilla, along with Representatives Adam Schiff and Norma Torres, spoke out against the way the Department of Homeland Security was handling immigration enforcement in Pomona. In their statement, they criticized the pattern of detaining people without clear evidence or probable cause, noting that these actions harm families and local communities.
Their reaction followed a similar incident elsewhere in the state a few months earlier. In January 2025, another immigration raid in California’s Central Valley led a federal judge to order Border Patrol agents to stop illegal stops and warrantless arrests. That case, too, revealed problems with how immigration officers sometimes did not follow the legal steps required before detaining or deporting someone.
Legal Rights and Due Process
Cases like the Pomona Home Depot immigration raid bring to light how important it is for everyone, even non-citizens, to have due process rights. Due process means a fair hearing and a chance to present your case. Under the law, people in the United States 🇺🇸 for more than two years are usually protected from expedited removal. They should get a full immigration hearing before a judge, the chance to have a lawyer, and the opportunity to show any evidence that could help their case.
In this scenario, advocates for the three detained men worked hard to find proof that the men had been in the country for more than the required time. If they can prove this, the men may avoid immediate deportation and instead have their cases heard in full immigration court, as required by law. This process, while stressful and uncertain, does offer a greater chance for a fair result.
Immigrant rights groups say that quick raids and fast-tracked deportation cut people off from these basic protections and make it harder for families to stay together. Many worry that mistakes or misunderstandings, such as not having proper paperwork during a raid, might lead to someone being removed before the facts are truly checked.
The Human Impact
For the families of Jesus Domingo Ros, Edwin Roberto Juarez, and Yoni Ronaldo Garcia, the experience has been terrifying. Their loved ones were picked up in a place where they felt safe, just looking for a day’s work. Soon, they were locked many miles away in a detention facility, facing the risk of being sent far away from everything they know.
Supporters say these men have never been in trouble with the law. Instead, they were trying to make a living—something many believe should not be punished by deportation. Advocates also point out that federal immigration enforcement in places like Pomona affects the whole community. Fear grows among workers and their families, making people even less likely to trust officials or take part in community life.
Wider Impacts and National Conversation
The Pomona Home Depot immigration raid is part of a bigger debate across the United States 🇺🇸 about how immigration should be enforced and what rules ought to be followed. Some feel current laws must be strictly enforced to protect national borders and public safety. Others argue that heavy-handed raids do more harm than good, splitting families apart and causing wider fear.
The case has highlighted questions such as:
– When is it fair for immigration agents to expand a search from one person to a much larger group?
– How much proof should be needed before someone is detained or removed?
– What steps should be taken to make sure no one’s rights are ignored in these fast-moving situations?
Community groups, faith leaders, and politicians continue to speak out on these concerns. They point to the need for clear rules, sufficient checks and balances, and greater respect for everyone’s rights, no matter their country of birth.
Comparing With Other Recent Raids
The incident at the Pomona Home Depot is not the first to draw national scrutiny. Just months before, in California’s Central Valley, federal agents were told by a judge to stop detaining people without following the proper legal channels. That order came after it was found that agents had arrested people without first having a reason to believe they were breaking the law, which goes against the fundamental protections outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
These types of cases often lead courts to carefully review how enforcement is supposed to happen. The Department of Homeland Security and agencies like CBP and ICE are now under even closer watch to make sure their agents respect both the law and the dignity of those they encounter.
For readers who want more detailed information about immigration enforcement procedures and rights, the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site provides useful resources.
What’s Next for the Three Men?
Judge Sabraw’s order gives Jesus Domingo Ros, Edwin Roberto Juarez, and Yoni Ronaldo Garcia a chance to remain in the United States 🇺🇸 at least until their legal cases are reviewed in more detail. In the coming weeks and months, courts will examine whether they meet the requirements to avoid expedited removal. If the court finds they have been present long enough, they will be entitled to a full immigration hearing and the chance to explore legal defenses against deportation.
At the same time, their case keeps pressure on immigration authorities and lawmakers to improve how laws are enforced, especially when families and entire communities can be shaken by a single raid.
Conclusion
The pause in the deportation of these three men after the Pomona Home Depot immigration raid has become a key story for anyone interested in immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸. The case shines a light on the balance between enforcing laws and protecting people’s rights. It also underscores the need for clear procedures and fairness, no matter someone’s background.
As the story unfolds, many will be watching closely to see what happens next—not just for the three individuals, but for others who find themselves caught in similar situations. The main lesson from Pomona is that behind every enforcement action are real people, real families, and many difficult questions about how America handles immigration and justice.
Learn Today
Expedited Removal → A fast-track process allowing authorities to deport certain undocumented immigrants without a full court hearing.
Bond Hearing → A legal proceeding to determine if a detainee can be released from custody by paying bail.
Temporary Restraining Order → A short-term court order preventing action—like deportation—until further review can occur.
Due Process → The legal requirement that government must respect an individual’s legal rights, including fair procedures before removal.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing detention and deportation.
This Article in a Nutshell
A raid at Pomona Home Depot resulted in the detention of three Guatemalan men, drawing scrutiny on immigration enforcement. Judge Sabraw’s temporary restraining order halts their deportation, highlighting legal debates around expedited removal and detainees’ rights, as well as the profound impact these actions have on affected families and communities.
— By VisaVerge.com
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