Woman Detained in California Immigration Raid Faints in Custody

(LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA) Federal immigration agents carried out a surprise immigration raid at the Bixby Knolls Car Wash in Long Beach on Saturday, September 13, 2025, detaining seven workers and triggering panic among customers and staff. Witnesses said one detained woman fainted and collapsed while in custody. As of Monday, September 15, officials had not released her identity or medical status.

The operation comes days after a Supreme Court ruling allowed federal authorities to resume roving patrols in Los Angeles and other California counties, a decision that has already reshaped daily life for many immigrant families in the United States 🇺🇸.

What happened at the car wash

People on-site described a swift sweep in which agents moved through the lot, separated workers, and asked for papers. The woman who fainted collapsed near a service bay, according to bystanders, who shouted for medical help when she did not respond.

The raid ended with seven people transported in custody vehicles while car wash operations briefly stopped. Customers left behind half-cleaned cars, and several staffers wept as agents pulled away.

Homeland Security officials have vowed to increase enforcement in California and elsewhere, citing the Supreme Court decision as legal cover for expanded actions that include roving patrols and workplace raids. The agency has not released further details about the Long Beach operation.

According to NBC News figures cited in recent coverage, approximately 58,000 undocumented immigrants have been taken into custody nationwide since January 2025, when the current administration took office.

Witness accounts and medical response

Bystanders said agents targeted staff who appeared to be workers and asked them to provide identification on the spot. Several customers reported seeing people pulled aside based on language and appearance, raising fears about profiling.

When the woman fainted, witnesses say they called out for help and urged agents to get medical support. Policy guidelines require that detainees who experience medical emergencies receive immediate care. However, people at the scene said they were unsure how long it took for assistance to arrive.

One young worker described the scene as “traumatizing,” noting that some employees were too scared to speak. A customer waiting with two children said the kids cried when they saw a worker collapse. The car wash remained tense for hours after agents departed, with staff calling relatives to confirm they were safe.

The agency has not indicated whether those detained face expedited removal or will be held pending further checks. In many workplace operations, agents:

1. Verify documents and run records.
2. Release some people with notices to appear.
3. Place others into removal proceedings depending on legal status, past entries, or pending cases.

Policy context and legal uncertainty

The Supreme Court’s early September ruling opened the door to roving patrols in Los Angeles and several other counties, undoing earlier limits and signaling a more aggressive enforcement posture.

Legal experts say the decision allows federal officers broader discretion to stop and question people, including in workplace settings. The ruling has raised alarm among civil rights groups, who warn permitting enforcement based on race, ethnicity, and spoken language risks mass profiling and due process concerns.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the decision has already led to a sharp uptick in street-level checks and visits to businesses where immigrant workers are common. Immigration attorneys advise anyone without status to:

• Carry documents at all times
• Avoid situations where they could be singled out, at least until courts offer more clarity

A federal district court judge is expected to issue a ruling within days that may further define or narrow these powers.

DHS leaders have defended the broader strategy. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described current operations in California as among the largest since President Trump took office, pointing to a separate July 2025 enforcement push at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo. That action led to more than 361 arrests and the rescue of 14 migrant children from exploitation.

While advocates condemned the scale of those arrests, federal officials said the July cases show why enhanced enforcement is needed.

Local impact and community reaction

For many residents in Long Beach, the raid felt like a breaking point. Workers across the city report:

• Seeing unmarked vehicles near day-labor corners
• More questions from officers on public transit lines
• Increased anxiety among immigrant families

Community groups say hotline calls jumped over the weekend as families braced for more visits at workplaces and apartment complexes.

Some city council members have asked for briefings on what the Supreme Court ruling means for residents and local police cooperation. The Long Beach city government has not announced local policy changes since the raid. Any shift would likely follow the expected district court ruling later this month.

Community guidance and next steps

Attorneys and advocates in the region are urging people who lack status—or who live with loved ones who do—to make simple plans and keep paperwork handy. Practical steps include:

• Carry a government-issued ID, visa or receipt notice, and any court papers.
• Store copies of critical documents with a trusted friend or family member.
• Memorize one phone number for a lawyer or relative in case a phone is taken.
• If stopped, ask if you are free to leave. If not, you can stay silent and request a lawyer.
• In a medical emergency, ask agents directly for help; if safe, bystanders should call 911.

Civil rights groups say they are preparing legal challenges tied to the Supreme Court ruling, focusing on equal protection and due process. Local immigrant support networks plan to expand know-your-rights sessions this week, including pop-up workshops near Bixby Knolls and downtown Long Beach.

Federal officials signal more actions ahead. DHS and ICE have said operations will continue, with possible expansions depending on court outcomes and any new directives from Washington. For residents, that means:

• More patrols near transit hubs
• More questions at worksites
• A greater chance of random checks

Advocates stress that the human toll is growing. Families split routines to keep children calm. Workers take buses at off-hours to avoid crowds. Small businesses worry that raids like the one at the Bixby Knolls Car Wash will scare off customers and staff.

For day laborers and service workers, the message is clear: assume more checks and carry proof of any legal process, including parole documents or pending case receipts.

Resources and legal help

The Department of Homeland Security offers general updates and statements on enforcement priorities on its official website, which can help readers track changes and official guidance. For the latest public announcements and policy materials, visit the DHS site at Department of Homeland Security.

People seeking legal help can contact local attorneys or groups such as:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• National Immigration Law Center

Community hotlines continue to collect reports of street checks and workplace visits across Long Beach and nearby cities.

A district court ruling expected in late September could reinforce the Supreme Court’s approach or set new bounds on how roving patrols and workplace checks work in practice. Until then, Long Beach residents—citizens, residents, and undocumented neighbors—will live with the fallout of Saturday’s raid and the fear that more are on the way.