The Los Angeles Dodgers have committed $1 million to help families impacted by ICE raids, which have been carried out over the past two weeks in Southern California, reports ESPN.
Additionally, the team plans to enter into relationships with the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and similar organizations that aid immigrant families.
“What’s happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten said. “We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles.”
The five-paragraph statement released by the franchise attempted to avoid any inflammatory political commentary but was clearly a rejection of federal law and efforts by President Donald Trump to curb illegal immigration and crime committed by non-citizens.
“I think it’s great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I’m sure the money is going to be allocated in the right way. I’m happy to hear that the Dodgers have done that, and it’s certainly the right thing to do.”
This donation comes on the heels of allegations made by the Dodgers, asserting that ICE agents attempted to carry out a raid at Dodger Stadium but were rejected.
ICE and United States Homeland Security denied that any such raid was scheduled and that Customs and Border Patrol agents were only briefly in the parking lot “unrelated to any operation of enforcement.”
Fans and lawmakers have repeatedly tried to pressure the Dodgers into making a public statement of opposition, given their large Latino fan base. Their pending donation drew the praise of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
