Boyle Heights residents confront ICE agents at White Memorial hospital
Neighbors used whistles and pots to warn the community during a standoff that lasted past midnight.
By Andrew Bennett ·
On the night of November 6, 2026, the quiet streets of Boyle Heights filled with the sound of whistles, fireworks, and banging metal. Residents gathered at Adventist White Memorial hospital after learning that federal immigration agents were present on the grounds. The sudden noise served as an alert for neighbors to lock their doors and prepare for a potential confrontation.
Abraham Zavala, an organizer with Unión del Barrio, traveled to the hospital because he and his children were born there. He described the location as sacred ground for the community. Zavala joined a crowd that included teenagers running through Mariachi Plaza, shouting warnings that ICE was in the area. A woman nearby pounded her pots and pans to add to the cacophony. Myra Vasquez, a local resident, noted that despite their fear, the community continued to show up to prevent agents from terrorizing them.
The situation intensified around 11:30 p.m. Video footage shared with Boyle Heights Beat shows agents pushing back against protesters who moved toward them. The two sides began shoving, and agents appeared to pepper-spray individuals on the sidewalk. One agent tackled a man, pinning him to the ground, while another person was pulled from the crowd. Rapid response groups confirmed that agents detained at least two people during the incident.
The standoff continued past midnight. Zavala reported that agents stepped out of their vehicles to form a line in front of the parking lot where paramedics enter, effectively blocking an emergency exit. He stated that the agents acted as a private security detail for the hospital. Zavala and another individual were sprayed with Mace during the interaction.
Father Brendan Busse, a Jesuit priest who pastors nearby Dolores Mission Church, arrived at the scene after seeing reports from the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network. He initially wore a hoodie but changed into a green stole as tensions rose, aiming to bring a sense of moral authority. Busse witnessed community members tending to those suffering from pepper spray and advocating for their treatment at the hospital.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the specific incident. In a written statement, the agency said it would not discuss ongoing law enforcement operations. The spokesperson noted that obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and asserted that ICE does not target hospitals, schools, or churches. Busse argued that the presence of clergy helps counter narratives that portray immigrant advocates as violent or dangerous.
Residents remained at the scene until the early hours of Saturday. The community maintained their presence to ensure that families could stay together and that their voices were heard. The confrontation ended without a formal resolution, leaving the agents and residents in a state of continued vigilance.
