Penske Rental Company Disavows ICE Raids Using Its Trucks in Los Angeles

• Penske Rental Company rejects use of its trucks in raids
• Raid took place at Home Depot
• Mayor criticizes immigration operations

A recent immigration operation in Los Angeles has sparked controversy not only for its impact on the immigrant community but also for the unauthorized use of Penske moving trucks by federal agents.

The company has spoken out to distance itself from the incident.

Penske distances itself from ICE raid

NEW: Federal agents conducted a raid at a Home Depot near McArthur Park in LA, resulting in multiple illegals being arrested.pic.twitter.com/Nmvam2G00T

— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) August 6, 2025

What happened

This week, an ICE raid took place in the parking lot of a Home Depot store near MacArthur Park.

Border Patrol agents stepped out of a Penske moving truck and detained 16 migrants who were offering their services as day laborers.

The scene was widely shared on social media and news outlets, sparking outrage in immigrant communities.

Penske’s reaction

The rental company issued a forceful statement, posted on its social media accounts, clarifying its position:

“It did not authorize the use of its trucks for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations that took place in downtown Los Angeles.”

Penske also stressed that its trucks are expressly prohibited from transporting people in the cargo area and asked the government to stop the misuse of its units:

“We are asking the Department of Homeland Security to ‘eliminate’ the inappropriate use of our vehicles in so-called ‘Trojan Horse’ raids.”

You may also like: “Trojan Horse” Raid: Federal Agents Detain 16 Migrants at Los Angeles Home Depot

Witnesses to the ICE raid

A Hispanic man who witnessed the incident told the Los Angeles Times that the Penske truck arrived at the location and that the driver, speaking in Spanish, said he was looking for workers.

Shortly afterward, immigration agents stepped out of the vehicle to make the arrests.

Rejection from City Hall

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass again criticized these immigration operations during a television interview on Thursday:

“They destabilize families, communities, and businesses.”

The mayor had already voiced her opposition to these tactics, particularly when President Trump decided to deploy troops in the city—an action that sparked mass protests against his administration’s immigration policy.

Legal framework in dispute

The raid took place despite a recent ruling by a federal judge upholding an order that prohibits indiscriminate detention of migrants in Southern California.

This contrast between what is legally established and what happens on the ground reinforces the debate over the legality and legitimacy of current operations.

The incident has brought to the forefront not only the debate over immigration raids but also how they are carried out.

The undercover use of civilian vehicles without the authorization of their owners raises ethical and legal questions that could escalate to the federal level if other companies follow Penske’s example.

Is it valid for authorities to use civilian trucks for immigration raids without informing or seeking permission from the companies that own them?

Source: EFE