The Dodgers White House visit Trump revives tensions in Los Angeles, where immigration policy directly impacts players, families, and one of MLB’s largest Latino fan bases.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have upheld their tradition of visiting the White House when they win the MLB title, accepting recognition from President Donald Trump.
The Dodgers are a symbol of Los Angeles, a city where at least 47 percent of the population is Latino and roughly 40 percent of those attending Dodgers Stadium are Latino as well.
That context matters. For the past two years, many Los Angeles residents have urged the team not to attend the White House ceremony, arguing that Trump’s immigration policies have disproportionately and harshly targeted immigrant communities nationwide — and particularly Latinos in Los Angeles.
Despite those appeals, the organization has chosen to move forward. For the second consecutive year, it has confirmed its attendance at the celebration.
Some observers point to team owner Mark Walter and his close relationship with Trump as part of the explanation. Walter has business interests that intersect with federal immigration policy, including ownership stakes in companies connected to immigrant detention centers. Recent reporting has also highlighted expansions into surveillance technology, including facial recognition systems and private security services.
Several Dodgers players have Latino roots and come from countries deeply affected by U.S. immigration enforcement policies. Some have compatriots who have been deported, detained, or subjected to violence by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
How might they feel shaking hands at the White House with the president many hold responsible for the suffering of their fellow nationals?
A brief overview illustrates the broader context:
Teoscar Hernández, from the Dominican Republic. In 2025, ICE deported 3,581 Dominicans to their home country through October.
Miguel Rojas and Edgardo Henriquez, both Venezuelan. An estimated 20,200 Venezuelans returned to Venezuela on repatriation flights in 2025. Critics have also accused the Trump administration of aggressive economic and political actions affecting Venezuela’s oil industry and of using unproven criminal allegations in enforcement actions.
Andy Pages and Andy Báñez, from Cuba. This year, 2,101 Cubans were reportedly deported: 1,370 directly to the island and 731 to third countries, primarily Mexico. At the same time, U.S. sanctions continue to restrict Cuba’s oil imports, a policy critics argue has broad humanitarian consequences.
Anthony Banda, from Mexico. From January to December 2025, 145,537 Mexican nationals were repatriated from the United States. Numerous reports document cases of family separation, violence, and alleged abuses during enforcement operations.
These examples illustrate the complex intersection between sports, politics, and immigration policy surrounding the Dodgers’ White House visit.
The question remains: will players be willing to celebrate at the White House while members of their own communities face detention, deportation, and hardship?
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