(MONROVIA, CALIFORNIA) A man who ran from an ICE raid at a Home Depot in Monrovia was fatally struck by a car on the 210 Freeway shortly before 10 a.m. on August 14, 2025, authorities said. He fled the Mountain Avenue store on foot, crossed Evergreen Avenue, and entered the eastbound lanes of the freeway, where a vehicle hit him. He was taken to a local hospital and died there. His name has not been released.
Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik confirmed the timeline and location and said the city has not received any direct communication from Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the operation. The case remains under review.
Fatal Flight After Storefront Operation
The death follows a month of stepped-up federal actions at big-box parking lots across Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Advocates say day laborers and other workers often gather at Home Depot stores to find jobs. In recent weeks, those lots have become frequent targets for unannounced enforcement, sometimes involving undercover officers and decoy vehicles like moving trucks.
Witnesses at other locations described agents revealing badges, lining up workers, and asking for identification or immigration papers before making arrests.
Federal officials have promoted the renewed effort. On August 6, during a Westlake action branded “Operation Trojan House,” acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said, “For those who thought Immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again.” That raid led to 16 arrests, according to public statements at the time.
Other actions followed in San Bernardino, Van Nuys, Cypress Park, Marina del Rey, North Hollywood, and Inglewood. In Van Nuys alone, at least seven people from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico were detained, according to community groups monitoring arrests.
Monrovia’s tragedy highlights how a crowded parking lot and a nearby freeway can turn deadly when panic spreads. Residents said the 210 Freeway sits only a short run from the store’s entrance. The decision to sprint into live traffic ended with the worst possible outcome.
“Just so inhumane,” one organizer said afterward — a view that is fueling fresh protests and demands for change.
Policy Tension and Shifting Tactics
The ramp-up comes even as a federal court has placed a temporary restraining order on certain targeting practices. Advocacy groups describe the order as barring agents from focusing on people solely because of their race, language, job type, or presence in a specific public place.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, arrests dipped in July after the order but surged again in August, with Home Depot lots becoming a focal point of planned actions.
Pablo Alvarado, co–executive director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, called Home Depot the “epicenter of raids.” He said agents have questioned people who “look like day laborers” or “speak Spanish,” including shoppers, and then asked for papers.
Federal officials counter that the operations are lawful and tied to broader immigration control goals. They point to cases involving:
- prior removal orders
- outstanding warrants
- criminal records
Officials say these actions help public safety.
Monrovia’s city leadership said it was not informed in advance about the operation that preceded Thursday’s death. That has been a common pattern, according to local officials elsewhere, who report limited visibility into federal plans at private retail sites. While city police may respond to crashes or medical calls, immigration decisions remain under federal authority.
As the August 14 case develops, key questions remain:
- What was the scope of the Monrovia operation?
- Did the man have prior contact with immigration authorities?
- Were agents in uniform or undercover at the store?
ICE has not released details. The city says it stands ready to assist investigators but still lacks key facts about the enforcement that morning.
Community Impact and Responses
Community groups say the human cost is rising. Workers who once waited for jobs near store entrances now describe fear of sudden sweeps.
- Some avoid restrooms, food stands, and hardware aisles.
- Others no longer wait in the open and instead rely on text messages to meet employers away from parking lots.
- For many, Thursday’s death on the 210 Freeway reinforces a simple lesson: running from an ICE raid can be deadly in areas close to fast-moving traffic.
Advocates also warn about the risk of mistaken identity. In crowded locations, they say a customer carrying tools or speaking Spanish can be approached and questioned even if they are a U.S. citizen or lawful resident. They argue such encounters can amount to profiling.
Federal officials disagree, insisting agents use training and legal standards when making contact and arrests.
Legal observers expect more court filings in the months ahead. The temporary restraining order may face challenges or requests for modification as both sides respond to new incidents. If more events draw public outcry, judges could consider extra limits on where and how agents conduct operations in public-facing spaces like retail lots.
For now, enforcement actions appear set to continue through 2025. VisaVerge.com reports that officials have signaled no pause in the current approach.
Practical Ripples
The practical effects go beyond workers:
- Contractors who rely on day labor say jobs are slowed or canceled when crews do not show up.
- Store managers face tense scenes outside entrances.
- Families fear a parent could be detained without warning.
- Aid groups are expanding outreach, teaching people about safe choices when officers appear, and offering emergency hotlines.
Aid groups also stress that sudden flight can cause injuries or death, as seen on the 210 Freeway.
For official background on how federal agents handle worksite operations and related enforcement, readers can review ICE’s worksite enforcement guidance at ice.gov/features/worksite-enforcement. While policies may change, the page outlines the agency’s stated goals and approach.
Help and Resources
People seeking help after an ICE raid at a Home Depot or similar site can contact local nonprofits for legal checks and family planning. Key organizations include:
- National Day Laborer Organizing Network
- ACLU of Southern California
- Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
City of Monrovia officials say updates will be posted on city channels when new, confirmed details are available.
What This Means Going Forward
Thursday’s death will likely shape the debate over immigration enforcement in public spaces. Supporters of the current approach view it as a matter of law and order. Critics see a pattern that places workers and bystanders in harm’s way.
The man who ran from Mountain Avenue to the 210 Freeway will not be part of that debate. But his final steps, and the unanswered questions around them, are now at the center of it.
This Article in a Nutshell
A Monrovia Home Depot ICE raid ended tragically August 14, 2025, when a fleeing man entered the 210 Freeway and died. The incident spotlights rising enforcement at Home Depot lots, renewed federal actions including Operation Trojan House, and legal, community tensions over tactics, profiling, and public safety as investigations continue.
