Unions says hosting of federal immigration agents creates “unusually dangerous conditions” for workers, demands that companies refuse to host ICE and Border Patrol
Los Angeles, CA — UNITE HERE Local 11, representing 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona, has formally notified hotels, stadiums, and other employers that the presence of ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol) agents on their property constitute “unusually dangerous conditions” under the parties’ collective bargaining agreements, triggering workers’ contractual right to refuse unsafe work.
In a letter, the Union cited heavily armed federal presence, protests, and a pattern of rapidly escalating violence connected to recent immigration enforcement actions. The Union emphasized that workers must not be placed in volatile situations beyond the scope of their normal duties.
Recent incidents across the country — including fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents — have sparked widespread protests and heightened community tension. On October 14, 2025, the County of Los Angeles proclaimed a local emergency, finding that federal immigration enforcement actions posed extreme peril to county residents’ safety.
“Our members should not be forced into the middle of heavily armed enforcement operations,” said UNITE HERE Co President Kurt Petersen. “Our contracts guarantee a safe workplace, and if hotels and stadiums choose to allow ICE onto their properties, our workers have the right to walk out.”
The Union has asked hotels and other workplaces – including stadiums – to refrain from having ICE or Border Patrol personnel lodge at or use their property to stage their activities during this period of heightened public attention. If hotels, stadiums, or other companies choose to do so, the Union is requesting advance notice and confirmation that workers will be allowed to leave or refuse work without reprisal.
As Los Angeles prepares to host the World Cup this June, the Union warned that the federal government’s promised increase of federal enforcement activity during the mega-event makes safety concerns especially urgent.
“We stood together to protect guests and workers during COVID,” Union leaders said in their letter. “We must do so again to ensure the safety of our workplaces and communities.”
World Series champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House to celebrate their victory with an administration that has been terrorizing immigrant communities across Los Angeles and the country. Being a team with several immigrants and that represents a city of immigrants, we’re asking them not to go!
