Car Washes Have Become Flashpoints in Immigration Crackdown With Over 250 Detentions in California

More than 250 immigrant car-wash workers in Southern California have been detained in recent months as federal immigration operations increasingly target the sector, according to the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center and organizers cited by La Opinión.

The outlet reported that of the roughly 500 car washes in Los Angeles, more than 80 have been raided, prompting some owners to shutter temporarily and advocacy groups to form "community patrols" to warn workers of approaching agents.

Flor Melendrez, executive director of the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center told local KQED that workers have become targets of immigration agents due in part to the fact that employees often work outdoors. "We need more eyes on the ground," Melendrez said. "We as community could be the difference between a worker making it home tonight or a worker being kidnapped, being separated from their families."

One raid over the weekend has drawn particular scrutiny in Long Beach, where federal agents detained seven workers at Bixby Knolls Car Wash within minutes, as NBC Los Angeles reports. "I've been working here for 46 years and I've never been through this," said the car wash's general manager, adding that among those detained were people from Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico.

The Long Beach Watchdog reported that agents blocked exits, apprehended four women and three men, and showed no warrants. Surveillance video reviewed by the outlet showed a woman collapsing during the operation. The raid contributed to city officials canceling the 2025 Día de los Muertos Parade, as the outlet points out.

Immigration attorney Kathia Quirós told NBCLA that recent Supreme Court action allowing the resumption of mobile patrols in Los Angeles and seven other counties increases the risk of detentions "based solely on appearance or location," urging immigrants to carry identity and status documents.

Worker-support groups described mounting anxiety, missed medical appointments, and lost income as raids continue.