The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on June 20 a commitment of $1 million to assist families of immigrants impacted by recent U.S. immigration enforcement actions. This pledge aims to provide direct financial relief to those affected by a series of immigration raids that have prompted significant public outcry in the region.
In a more detailed update released nearly eight weeks later, the California Community Foundation (CCF) outlined how the funds would be distributed. The organization confirmed that the Dodgers’ contribution will directly support 1,000 households, with each family receiving $1,000 in cash assistance by the end of the month. The funds will be provided through trusted community partners, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, ensuring that aid reaches those in need.
“The Dodgers’ generous gift of $1 million to the CCF LA Neighbors Fund will provide relief to 1,000 Los Angeles households struggling to meet their basic needs due to the immigration raids,” stated CCF in a communication shared with USA TODAY Sports. The funds are expected to be delivered in the form of cash cards.
Since June 6, the enforcement actions by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have resulted in over 4,200 arrests in the Los Angeles area, according to spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. In an email to USA TODAY Sports, McLaughlin emphasized the agency’s commitment to continuing enforcement efforts, stating, “We will continue to enforce the law and remove the worst of the worst.”
The Dodgers faced criticism for their initial silence regarding the immigration raids, which sparked protests within the community. Prior to announcing their financial commitment, the team had only stated that they denied ICE agents access to their parking lots at Dodger Stadium.
“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,” said Dodgers president Stan Kasten at the time of the announcement. He expressed the team’s intention to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles through their actions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly acknowledged the Dodgers’ contribution in a news release on June 21, thanking the team for their proactive approach in supporting the immigrant community. Despite this, protests continued outside Dodger Stadium, with some demonstrators criticizing the Dodgers for not doing more, while others held signs that read, “Dodgers want you to shut up for $1 million.”
In total, over 200 donors, including the Dodgers, have raised $2.6 million for the CCF LA Neighbors Fund. This fund aims to provide additional resources to the City of Los Angeles’s assistance program and support various nonprofit organizations assisting individuals affected by the ongoing immigration raids across the county.
The Dodgers’ initiative reflects an evolving landscape of community engagement in response to pressing social issues, highlighting the intersection of sports and social responsibility in contemporary society.