The Los Angeles Dodgers' customary visit to the White House on Thursday to celebrate their back-to-back championship wins was accompanied by the lingering presence of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which have significantly impacted the team's hometown.
As players like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto stood with President Trump in the Rose Garden, the administration's anti-immigration actions and their effects on Los Angeles were a backdrop to the ceremony. The Los Angeles area, with its large Latino population, had been a focal point for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, characterized by increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and protests that led to the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines.
The Dodgers' silence during this period of discord in their city was noted by many Angelenos, particularly their Latino fanbase. The situation intensified on June 19, 2025, when federal agents were reportedly present on stadium grounds. The team initially issued a statement confirming that ICE had been denied permission to access the parking lot and that the scheduled game would proceed as planned.
Further scrutiny arose when details emerged about the team's ownership. Mark Walter, the controlling investor of the Dodgers through his firm Guggenheim Partners, held a significant stake in GEO Group, a private prison company that operates ICE detention centers. Following community pressure, the Dodgers pledged $1 million to support nonprofits assisting immigrant families and Guggenheim committed to divesting from GEO Group. This action came after faith-based community organizers, including PICO California, had urged the Dodgers to reconsider their White House visit.
Jared Rivera, chief of staff for PICO California, emphasized the importance of the team acknowledging the community's pain, stating that the Dodgers are "the heart and soul of Los Angeles" and have a significant immigrant base. He suggested the team had an opportunity to show "courage and leadership."
The organization, however, sought to downplay the political implications of the visit, issuing a statement that the trip followed a "longtime tradition" for World Series champions. Manager Dave Roberts echoed this sentiment, describing the invitation as a goal tied to winning championships and stating his focus was on baseball, not politics.
Some players confirmed they would not attend the event. Shortstop Mookie Betts cited a desire to spend time with his family, while veteran Kiké Hernandez, who had previously voiced strong opinions against the immigration raids, also opted out. Hernandez, who is currently recovering from an injury, mentioned it would be difficult to be in two places at once and that he likely would not have attended even if active, as he also skipped a previous White House trip.
Rivera expressed hope that the team would use the White House visit to convey the community's concerns and advocate for an end to the actions causing distress in Los Angeles.
During their time in Washington, some Dodgers, including manager Roberts and shortstop Miguel Rojas, met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, both vocal critics of the president. In his remarks, President Trump acknowledged the achievements of Rojas and outfielder Andy Pages, both of whom hail from Venezuela and Cuba, respectively, without directly addressing their connection to immigrant communities. The president expressed hope to welcome the team back as champions the following year.