Amid tensions around immigration enforcement that continue to rise across Los Angeles, a major development has pushed the Dodgers into the center of the controversy. Just recently, the team made a startling revelation that they had blocked federal agents from entering the Dodger Stadium. The move was always expected to send shockwaves through the community and it did.

But the ICE has now issued a firm rebuttal, challenging the Dodgers’ claim and adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

The Dodgers released a statement on Thursday saying, “ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.”

The statement created a sense of confusion among the fans who couldn’t understand why the federal officers wanted to enter the stadium’s parking lot. But it took no time for the ICE to respond to the Dodgers’ statement on X: “False. We were never there.”

Meanwhile, images have been circulating on social media showing Department of Homeland Security vehicles positioned around Dodger Stadium. The sight of masked agents near the ballpark stirred speculation, though it remained unclear what, if any, operation was underway in the area.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement later: “This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.”

It all happened in less than 24 hours after it was reported on Thursday that the Dodgers would announce a new initiative aimed at assisting the local immigrant communities in Los Angeles. The announcement may still come sometime later in the day, but the sudden appearance of masked federal agents and Department of Homeland Security vehicles outside the Dodger Stadium has added further intrigue to the situation.

The Dodgers have found themselves on the receiving end of this controversy since singer Nezza performed the national anthem at the Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

The Dodgers are in a difficult situation following Nezza’s stunt

The Dodgers’ Saturday night game against the Giants drew a full crowd. Before the first pitch, singer Nezza performed the national anthem. However, in an unexpected move, she delivered the official Spanish rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.

While the entire stadium was taken by surprise, following the performance, Nezza posted a video on TikTok explaining her decision. Citing her Colombian and Dominican background, she said it was a deliberate move in response to recent immigration enforcement actions. “I just felt like I needed to do it. Para mi gente,” she said.

The situation escalated further after a video surfaced showing a Dodgers employee instructing Nezza to perform the national anthem in English. The 30-year-old singer later posted the clip to her TikTok account as well. She admitted she was explicitly told she was not permitted to sing the anthem in Spanish.

That put the Dodgers in a difficult situation, as they remained under public scrutiny for their refusal to react amid heightened immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles. Now, all eyes are on the announcement they have planned to make to assist the local immigrants.