A local group supporting car wash workers gathered with workers and their families to mark the one-year anniversary of the ICE raids beginning across Southern California.
CLEAN Carwash Worker Center held its press conference on Monday outside the Crenshaw Imperial Car Wash in Inglewood, one of the first raided by ICE agents in 2025. The car wash has since closed.
Flor Melendrez, executive director for CLEAN Carwash Worker Center, said more than 370 car wash workers were detained during those raids.
“These numbers represent people, workers, parents, family members, and community leaders,” she said. “ The effects of these raids extend far beyond the individuals detained.”
Among those detained was Nohemi Ciau’s husband. She said he was deported, and she's been in a fight to bring him back while raising their four children alone.
"The process is incredibly difficult, expensive, [and] emotionally exhausting; however, the hardest part is waiting,” she said. ”Current processing times can take anywhere from 8 to 10 years.”
Melendrez said the raids have changed the car wash industry.
“CLEAN has identified at least 10 car washes that have either closed or converted into express car wash models following the raid,” she said. “These changes affect not only workers but entire neighborhoods and local economy. “
KNX News’ Karen Adams reported that the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center is backing a proposal by state lawmakers to create a one-time immigration enforcement emergency fund that would provide income replacement to workers who lost pay or to their families.
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