The City of Pasadena abruptly canceled public programming on Saturday, including swim lessons and community activities at several local parks, in response to visible federal immigration enforcement operations within city limits.
The move comes amid heightened tensions over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in urban areas of California.
Pasadena, located just northeast of downtown Los Angeles, issued the cancellations for Villa Parke, Robinson Park, and Victory Park “out of an abundance of caution” following what city officials described as unannounced federal actions that could lead to public unrest.
“The City of Pasadena is cancelling programming… after seeing social media posts of what appears to be federal enforcement activity at Villa Parke this morning and the potential escalation of conflict that unannounced federal enforcement activity causes,” the city stated in an official release.
The City of Pasadena is cancelling programming, including swim lessons and other programs at Villa Parke, Robinson Park and Victory Park today, Saturday, June 21, out of an abundance of caution after seeing social media posts of what appears to be federal enforcement activity at… pic.twitter.com/rLtPGcMTeg
— City of Pasadena (@PasadenaGov) June 21, 2025
Local media outlet KABC reported that two men were detained by federal agents Saturday morning while purchasing tamales at Villa Parke. Witnesses described the arrests as sudden, saying the individuals were “snatched off the street” by agents in unmarked vehicles.
Additional ICE agents were reportedly seen later that day near a residential apartment complex in Pasadena, where further arrests may have taken place.
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo criticized the manner in which the operations were conducted, stating, “The city is not being informed. They just showed up and took people right off the street. They did not identify themselves, showed up in unmarked vehicles, wielding serious weaponry.”
It remains unclear whether the city’s cancellation of park programs will extend beyond Saturday, but officials signaled the decision could be repeated in the event of further enforcement activity. As of now, ICE has not released a statement confirming the scope or purpose of the arrests made in Pasadena over the weekend.
