At least five Southern California car washes have been raided by federal immigration agents over the past several days, with at least 26 workers detained, according to labor officials.
Jesus Acruz is one of the workers detained while working at Express Hand Car Wash and Detail in Culver City on Sunday. His wife Noemi told KNX News’ Emily Valdez he had no criminal history.
“They just went and started grabbing everyone, no questions asked,” she said.
She said she hasn’t been able to locate her husband since he was taken. Officials with CLEAN Carwash Worker Center, an organization for carwash workers, say that of the more than two dozen people rounded up by agents, only one or two are in an ICE database.
“It's been honestly a living hell,” Noemi said. “Not knowing that he’s okay, it’s just heartbreaking. You know, when my baby is asking and asking, where’s my dad? Why isn't my dad home? I can't even give him an answer because I don't know where he is.”
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The other reported raids occurred at Crenshaw Imperial Car Wash, Westchester Car Wash, Touch & Glow in Whittier, and Magnolia Car Wash in Orange County.
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