Guatemalan Day Laborer Killed After Fleeing ICE Raid in Monrovia

(MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA) Roberto Carlos Montoya, a 52-year-old Guatemalan day laborer, died on August 14, 2025, after running from an ICE raid at a Home Depot in Monrovia and being struck by an SUV on the eastbound 210 Freeway. The crash — which witnesses said followed a rush of workers fleeing federal agents — has set off protests, vigils, and urgent calls for accountability across the San Gabriel Valley.

Federal officials say he was not being chased at the moment he ran; community members say the ICE presence caused panic that turned deadly.

What happened that morning

Local authorities say the operation began that morning at the Home Depot on Mountain Avenue. As agents moved in, workers scattered toward nearby streets. Montoya ran across Evergreen Avenue and onto the freeway, where a Ford Expedition traveling at roughly 50–60 mph struck him.

He suffered major injuries and later died at a hospital. The California Highway Patrol is leading the collision investigation, while Monrovia police handled the initial response and scene coordination.

A Department of Homeland Security statement said Montoya “was not being pursued by any DHS law enforcement,” and that DHS was not notified of the collision until hours after the operation ended. Witnesses and advocates dispute that framing, arguing that the visible approach by agents to a known day labor site in Monrovia triggered fear that led workers to run in all directions.

They describe a chaotic scene in which people yelled warnings and sprinted, some toward traffic, trying to get away.

Community response and vigils

Activists and some local officials said the ICE raid led to at least 12–13 detentions in the area that morning. At evening vigils outside the same Home Depot, community groups placed candles and photos, and speakers paused for long moments of silence for Montoya.

Organizers included:
– National Day Laborer Organizing Network
– Monrovia High School Students Against Fascism
– Party for Socialism and Liberation

Elected officials who attended and spoke out included Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) and State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena). They condemned the raids, saying these operations create dangerous conditions for workers and neighbors.

The Consulate General of Guatemala in Los Angeles confirmed Montoya’s identity and said it is helping his family with arrangements.

Remembering Roberto Carlos Montoya

Friends remembered him as a steady presence at the lot and a man who sent money to support his four daughters and grandchildren back home. Some said he had lived in the United States for three to five years, picking up short-term jobs from the Home Depot corner and nearby sites. They called him hardworking, noble, and generous.

Conflicting accounts and official response

DHS emphasized there was no active chase. But in Monrovia, community leaders say intent is not the only issue; visible enforcement actions at day labor corners can spread fear faster than facts. People often run first and process what is happening later, they say, especially when many have past trauma with police or immigration officers.

Duarte Mayor Cesar Garcia and other local voices stressed the need for accountability and better planning that protects public safety during any law enforcement operation near busy roads.

Timeline (local records and witnesses)

1. At about 9:43 a.m. on August 14, Monrovia police received reports of ICE agents at the Home Depot.
2. Minutes later, workers fled across side streets; Montoya ran toward the freeway.
3. Within minutes, he was hit by an SUV on the eastbound 210 and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The California Highway Patrol continues to gather video, witness statements, and traffic data. DHS says it learned of the collision only after its operation concluded and again denied any active pursuit. That gap — between official statements and how workers on the ground experienced the raid — now sits at the center of public debate in Monrovia.

Key point: Community members stress that visible enforcement can cause immediate panic and dangerous flight, regardless of whether agents are actively pursuing individuals.

Legal backdrop and policy stakes

Montoya’s death is the second reported fatality tied to ICE operations in Southern California this year. The case arrives during a broader enforcement push under President Trump that has included increased actions at day labor sites, including Home Depot stores and car washes.

A federal court has already issued a temporary injunction against indiscriminate sweeps in the region amid concerns about racial profiling and community safety. A new hearing on that injunction is set for September 2025, and it could shape the scope of future operations.

Advocates say the Monrovia case raises questions about:
– Compliance with the court order
– Site selection for raids
– Risk planning near freeways and high-traffic corridors

Lawmakers including Rep. Chu and Sen. Pérez have called for an end to these actions, saying the costs to human life and community trust outweigh any benefits. Activists have also renewed boycott calls against Home Depot, arguing the company should not allow federal operations on its property; the company did not immediately respond in available accounts.

For readers seeking official background on enforcement programs and agency roles, the federal overview at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement explains core missions and authorities: https://www.ice.gov.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, day labor corners across Southern California remained frequent targets through 2024 and 2025, fueling fear among mixed-status families and leading to sudden flights when agents appear.

Human toll and community impact

Montoya’s friends say he woke up each day hoping for a few hours of work—painting, hauling, yard cleanup—anything that could cover rent and still send money south. The Monrovia lot offered chances for quick hires, but it also brought stress.

People waited in the heat, watched patrol cars roll by, and kept a constant eye out for immigration officers. After Thursday’s death, workers at several San Gabriel Valley corners said they planned to stay away for days, even if they needed the cash, because fear now outweighs hunger.

Community groups are pressing for changes they believe could reduce risk near day labor sites:
– Clear safety planning before any operation near freeways, with traffic control if needed
– Public reporting on the purpose and outcomes of raids, including how officers identify targets
– Stronger outreach so workers know their rights and nearby resources
– Consistent coordination with consulates to support families after arrests, injuries, or deaths

The Guatemalan consulate’s involvement has offered a lifeline for Montoya’s relatives, who must decide on burial, repatriation, and how to meet basic needs without his income. Consular officials say they are helping with documents and contacts. Advocates are raising funds and asking faith groups in Monrovia to help cover costs.

Outstanding questions and next steps

As the investigation moves forward, key questions remain:
– Did planning for the ICE raid include safety steps for a location so close to the 210 Freeway?
– Were warning signs or traffic units in place to reduce flight into traffic?
– How will the federal court weigh this incident when it reviews the injunction next month?

Answers to those questions could shape enforcement playbooks in Southern California and beyond.

For now, the memorial at Mountain Avenue grows by the day: candles in glass jars, handwritten notes in Spanish, and a simple message repeated aloud by workers who still gather near the curb — “Que no pase otra vez.”

They want those making policy far from Monrovia to hear that plea. They also want the name of Roberto Carlos Montoya remembered not only for how he died, but for the quiet way he lived: standing on a corner, hoping for honest work, and trying to keep his family afloat.