Action Responds to Escalating ICE Operations on Home Depot Properties Nationwide
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New York—Today, immigrant day laborers, community members and advocates with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), and others held a “buy-in” and rally at the Home Depot at 40 W 23rd St, demanding that the company take immediate action to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in and around its stores nationwide. Community members bought and returned ice scrapers in an act of protest, followed by a rally, picket line, chorus and speakers.
Across the country, Home Depot locations have become flashpoints in a growing human rights crisis. Immigration raids at and around stores have led to chaotic, violent, and frightening encounters—not only for immigrant workers and day laborers, but also for customers and surrounding communities. Home Depot has failed to confront these escalating dangers, forcing communities to act. In New York City, there have been multiple instances of ICE abductions at Home Depots across the city in recent months.
“For decades, Home Depots across the country have been essential places for day laborers to find work, and working people to purchase supplies. But under the Trump administration, Home Depots have become flashpoints for federal immigration enforcement–sites of raids that terrorize and sweep up hardworking people simply trying to earn a living and support their families. Ordinary mornings and afternoons spent waiting for work or buying materials needed for jobs have instead become filled with fear and anxiety. ICE’s violent attacks on our immigrant neighbors at and around Home Depots make our neighborhoods less safe for everyone. Home Depot must not allow its stores to be a staging ground for ICE operations, and must speak out against these abductions. Home Depot has a responsibility to ensure their stores remain safe spaces, where anyone can go shopping, and workers can seek employment without fear of being detained or deported,” said Murad Awawdeh, President & CEO, New York Immigration Coalition.
“ICE turns Home Depot into a hunting ground for our people—and Home Depot lets it happen. So we took our message inside: we won’t let any store become a trap. Immigrants deserve to work and live without fear. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo,” said Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).
“Across the country, communities are rising up against the brutality of ICE raids and deportations—and today, New Yorkers have shown that we won’t stand for Home Depot’s complicity in this brutality. People everywhere are taking the streets in huge numbers to demand an end to the attacks on immigrant communities by the Trump administration and their billionaire agenda, and we will only get stronger,” said Manolo De Los Santos, Executive Director, The People’s Forum.
CONTEXT
Community members across the U.S. report that ICE operations at Home Depot locations are intensifying. Organizers say the company’s silence and inaction in the face of these human-rights concerns is unacceptable. Today’s coordinated nonviolent action calls on Home Depot to take public responsibility and commit to protecting workers, customers, and the broader community.
Advocates say they will not allow ICE to turn Home Depot stores into hostile, dangerous environments. The action is rooted in nonviolence, solidarity, and a refusal to be silent while human rights are violated in broad daylight on corporate property.
Day laborers rely on Home Depot to connect with customers and build their livelihoods. Community leaders emphasize that they do not oppose Home Depot, but they insist the company has a responsibility to ensure that all people can gather, shop, and work without fear.
Partner organizations are calling on Home Depot to immediately:
- Publicly condemn ICE operations on its properties.
- Reject the use of its stores as sites of intimidation, violence, or surveillance.
- Commit to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all people, regardless of immigration status.