Los Angeles Dodgers say they denied ICE access to Dodger Stadium parking lots

ICE agents drove to Dodger Stadium’s parking entrances in an apparent effort to use the vast lots as a staging area, but did not gain entry to the venerable Los Angeles ballpark, the Dodgers said in a statement Thursday.

Shortly after 10 a.m. PDT, a caravan of vans and other vehicles appeared at multiple parking lot entry points, according to social media posts. An overhead view of the caravan, captured by Fox 11 Los Angeles, indicated the presence of Department of Homeland Security officers.

In the ensuing hours, a small group of protestors arrived at Gate E, chanting at ICE officers outside the stadium gates. Eventually, Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived.

“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization,” the Dodgers said in a statement. “Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.”

A message with ICE's media relations office was not immediately returned.

The Dodgers are scheduled to play the San Diego Padres at 7:10 PDT, with a celebrity softball game hosted by All-Star Mookie Betts preceding the game at 5:30. A crowd of more than 50,000 is expected for the game.

The apparently unscheduled ICE arrival is the latest twist in a saga pitting President Donald Trump’s desire to deport large amounts of undocumented persons against cities aiming to salvage due process for its residents.

Los Angeles is one of the cities specifically targeted by Trump, with nearly two weeks of aggressive raids in the Southland, sparking widespread protests and aggressive reaction from both LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriffs.

Dodgers players remained largely mum on the issue, until veteran utilityman Kiké Hernández released a statement on Instagram pledging support for Latinos profiled, arrested and disappeared under ICE.

Manager Dave Roberts professed not having enough information to weigh in on the issue, though the franchise came under more scrutiny for its lack of support after R&B singer Nezza sang the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium, and posted videos and correspondence showing it was against the Dodgers’ wishes.

That led to a Dodgers spokesperson telling reporters Wednesday that they would announce “plans for assistance to immigrant communities impacted by the recent events in Los Angeles.”

Barely 12 hours later, ICE vehicles showed up at the stadium gates.

The Dodgers’ fan base is heavily Latino, and in the past week right-wing influencers have entered the fray, with one noting that it would be “amazing” if ICE agents staged a raid at Dodger Stadium.