Long Beach Mayor Speaks Out Against ICE Raids at Car Washes

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Mayor Rex Richardson is upset about recent raids by federal immigration agents at two local businesses, Andres Car Wash and Coast Hand Car Wash. Videos showed agents wearing masks storming in and taking workers who were just doing their jobs.

The mayor visited Andres Car Wash and talked to the owner, Andres. “What I heard was disturbing,” Mayor Richardson said. “Federal agents entered masked, without documentation, and took four workers simply trying to provide for their families.”

These workers are neighbors and parents, not criminals, the mayor explained. The raids happened even though a judge, U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, made a rule in July that says agents can’t target people based on their race, language, job, or where they work, like car washes.

“These raids violate a federal court order and our values,” the mayor said. “Long Beach will fight back.” The city is thinking about taking legal action to stop these raids and protect its community.