"Families of ‘Kidnapped’ L.A. Garment Workers Arrested in ICE Raids Plead for Justice", 10 June 2025

More than a dozen men from Mexico’s Indigenous Zapotec community...were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during Friday’s raid of Ambiance Apparel, a manufacturer, importer and wholesaler of women’s and junior’s clothing that was swept up in a wide-ranging workplace crackdown in Los Angeles that has fueled days of clashes between law enforcement and protestors, incited the deployment of both the National Guard and the Marines and raised questions about the limits of the Trump administration’s authority in a so-called sanctuary state...

A representative from Ambiance Apparel, reached by phone, declined to clarify conflicting accounts of whether ICE agents had warrants that allowed them to search the premises. The Department of Homeland Security similarly acknowledged a request for comment but did not respond further.

“I say ‘kidnapped’ because they were taken by force without any warnings or permits, as well as being held without any contact to the families or lawyers, and that by definition, is kidnapping,” said Carlos Gonzalez, who watched as his brother, José Paulino, was chained up like “he was some kind of dangerous animal.”...

Montserrat Arrazola, a college student, said she watched as her father, Jorge, and others were dragged away by officials as their relatives cried and screamed...

The events of the past few days have rattled the tens of thousands of people who make up the “West Coast hub” of the American apparel industry, many of whom are undocumented immigrant women from Central and South America who toil long hours for extremely low wages.

“We need to go and talk to specific employees to find out how they are. It’s going to take some time. It’s only Monday,” one manufacturing staffer, who requested anonymity to be able to speak freely. “How are we doing? Right now, we don’t know where we are, who we are or how we are. If it’s safe, we will go to work.”

The owner of a large downtown L.A. apparel factory told Sourcing Journal that the raids and subsequent upheaval were causing disruptions to productivity, but said it was too early to assess the situation or comprehend its ramifications. Several other businesses, including Reformation, Mother Denim and Saitex, either did not respond to requests for comment or declined to do so.

Others were more candid, including Alex Zar, CEO of Lalaland Production and Design, who told Sourcing Journal that the business is “operating with caution and advising our staff to carry all necessary identification and documentation to prove their residency status in case they are approached by federal authorities.”

“Although our staff members are legally residing in Los Angeles, many still fear being profiled based on their appearance or country of origin,” Zar added. “There’s a concern that being mistakenly detained could seriously disrupt their daily lives.”

The business owner, whose factory supplies major leather goods and footwear brands across the globe, said the recent ICE detention of the head of an L.A. janitorial union, as well as other labor leaders, “has understandably created a sense of fear and distraction, not only for our team members but also for their families—especially those whose legal statuses may differ.”

Sean Scott, CEO and co-founder of CommunityMade, a footwear producer...was disturbed and dismayed by the developments of the past 96 hours.

When asked whether the factory was experiencing interruptions to its operations, he said, “Our situation is that business is carrying on—but it is not business as usual.” Immigrants are essential to CommunityMade’s business, “so we’re concerned,” he added.

“We have fantastic teammates from Guatemala, China, Spain, Mexico, Ukraine and they’re all scared because ICE’s detentions have been sweeping, not focused on criminals or illegals,” Scott said. “Some are staying home. Families are scared, too.”

On Monday, a “big police presence” persisted in the area surrounding the company’s shop and factory headquarters, though there were no signs of protests or violence on the 500 block of Mateo Ave. Local law enforcement appeared to position itself apart from the activities of ICE or the National Guard, which swept through the city on President Trump’s orders on Sunday afternoon...

“There’s definitely a lot of fear and anxiety about going to work,” said Daisy Gonzalez, campaign director at the Garment Worker Center...“People are scared to take public transportation. There are a lot of unverified accounts of ICE throughout L.A. County. But, of course, people need to continue to put food on the table, pay their rent, keep a shelter over their heads.”...