Political tensions surround World Series in L.A.

U.S. immigration officers have been accused of trying to enter the Dodger Stadium to make arrests. Adrian Ghobrial on the fear the raids are generating.

LOS ANGELES -- This week, clear blue skies are in the forecast above Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium, though for months, a cloud of controversy has hung over Southern California.

In June, the historic stadium, that’s set to host game three, four and five of the World Series, became a focal point for political tension as American immigration officers, looking to detain those they deem to be illegal, were accused of trying to enter Dodger Stadium property.

While homeland security has denied the accusation, there’s no denying the sudden brazen use of force in the U.S.’ second most populous city.

For months, members of L.A.’s Latin American community have reported being terrorized by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. From outside Home Depots to church parking lots, video recordings of aggressive takedowns have sparked protests in L.A. and beyond.

U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that American cities are under attack. Speaking at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on June 10, Trump proclaimed that he would “not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy.”

On the streets of East L.A., home to a dense population of Latinos, Alajandro Aceves says his wife isn’t an enemy of the American people, though she fears being rounded up in ICE raids.

“They start beating you up, pushing you to the ground,” says Aceves of the ICE Agents. “I don’t think they care about anyone, I don’t think they care if you’re an American citizen.”

Aceves, who moved to east L.A. when he was just nine years old, is an American citizen. His wife recently received her approval letter from U.S. immigration, though the Aceves family are worried that won’t be enough to stop her from being deported.

Aceves admits that at times when ICE officers have been in their neighbourhood, his wife’s boss has locked the door at her workplace to try and keep them out. She’s just left to “wait and see what happens next while trying to work,” says Aceves.

“If they are legal or in the process of getting their paperwork, why are they being singled out?” questions David Ivkovic, the chairman of Canadians Abroad in Southern California.

Ivkovic believes that individuals in L.A. are being rounded up by federal agents simply because of the colour of their skin. He also admits that fear has spread throughout the ex-pat community in California.

“All of a sudden people are scared about their social media presence and getting checked at the border,” says Ivkovic.

Originally from Ottawa, he shares that a close Canadian friend in California is also worried she may get separated from her children if she travels - even though she has a green card.

“There is a fear that we’ve never experienced before,” admits Ivkovic.

It’s a tension that now stretches from Ivkovic’s suburban Los Angeles neighbourhood to East L.A., and beyond.

Speaking to CTV News outside of a coffee shop, Aceves ponders the frightening reality now facing his family and thousands of others.

“What can you do? Pray, I guess, but sometimes not even that helps.”

Those who spoke to CTV News at the Dodger Stadium share their hope that this World Series can be a catalyst to bring people together, instead of driving them apart.