(Thechieftainspear) –Immigration rights advocates are demanding justice and transparency following the detainment of several day laborers during a controversial federal immigration enforcement operation in Pomona last month.
At a press conference held Tuesday outside Pomona City Hall, community organizers and legal representatives condemned what they described as the denial of due process to three undocumented workers currently being held in federal custody.
The incident occurred on April 22, when at least 10 men were taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while waiting outside a Home Depot parking lot for day labor opportunities. Cell phone footage captured federal agents in marked vehicles surrounding the area and apprehending the workers, prompting swift backlash from immigrant rights organizations.
According to advocates, three of the detained individuals—Jesus Domingo Ros, Edwin Juarez, and Johnny Garcia—were later transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are now being held at a facility in Calexico, California.
A court hearing for the trio was held on Tuesday morning, where advocates hoped the men would be granted bond and a chance to plead their case before an immigration judge.
Alexis Teodoro, Worker Rights Director at the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, said the hearing revealed ICE’s assertion that the judge lacked jurisdiction due to the men reportedly living in the U.S. for less than a year—making them eligible for expedited removal without the opportunity for a hearing.
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Teodoro pushed back strongly on that claim, arguing the men have each lived in the U.S. for more than two years and should not be fast-tracked for deportation.
“ICE is misrepresenting facts to avoid due process,” Teodoro said. “These individuals have roots here. They are not threats to society, and they have a right to be heard. Seeking work outside a hardware store should not result in arrest and deportation.”
Attorney Arturo Burga, who practices immigration law in the Inland Empire, said these types of cases often hinge on documentation that proves how long someone has lived in the country.
“If an individual cannot show they’ve been here for more than two years, they may fall under expedited removal,” Burga explained. “But if they can provide that evidence, they have a right to fight their case in immigration court—even though that process can be slow.”
CBP previously stated that the operation targeted an individual with an outstanding arrest warrant, and that nine additional undocumented individuals were encountered and detained. According to the agency, some of those arrested had criminal histories involving serious charges such as assault, child abuse, or DUI.
However, advocates representing the three men contend that their clients have no criminal records and have been working in the U.S. peacefully for several years.
Teodoro emphasized the broader implications of the raid, saying it sends a chilling message to immigrant communities and undermines basic legal protections.
“We are simply asking for the government to respect the law and give these men a fair shot in court,” she said. “They deserve a chance to post bond and explain their situation before a judge.”
A second court appearance for the three men is scheduled for May 9. In the meantime, advocates continue pressing federal authorities for answers and due process for all those detained.
Requests for comment have been submitted to both CBP and ICE, but neither agency has yet responded.
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