QUICK ANSWER

Community videos, immigrant advocacy groups, and a widely circulated Newsweek investigation report that ICE agents have been seen monitoring, questioning, or detaining Latino day laborers in and around Home Depot parking lots. Home Depot denies coordinating with ICE, but immigrant communities say the retailer has failed to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable individuals.

As ICE escalates enforcement under the current administration, boycott movements—including #HomeDeport—are spreading nationwide. Immigrant families and mixed-status couples are increasingly seeking legal guidance on whether Home Depot is a safe place to visit.

If you or a loved one feel at risk of enforcement exposure:
[Schedule a Consultation]
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

Home depot responds to claims it cooperates with ICE, as calls for boycott increase

FAST FACTS

Newsweek published a widely shared story on ICE activity near Home Depot:
Newsweek: Home Depot ICE Involvement
Viral videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and WhatsApp groups show alleged ICE monitoring of day laborers.
Home Depot’s corporate response: “We do not collaborate with ICE.”
Latino and immigrant communities dispute this, citing historical patterns and repeated incidents.
Boycott calls accelerated after HLG’s investigative content:
ICE has increased public-space operations in 2025–26, including retail zones and transit hubs.
Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown) is a national search hotspot for “Home Depot ICE.”

INTRODUCTION: A RETAIL GIANT AT THE CENTER OF AN IMMIGRATION FIRESTORM

A growing number of immigrant customers, day laborers, and mixed-status families are accusing Home Depot—America’s largest home-improvement retailer—of allowing, tolerating, or failing to prevent frequent ICE presence in and around its parking lots.

A viral Newsweek article put these concerns on the national stage:
Newsweek: ICE & Home Depot Allegations

Online, thousands of posts document:

unmarked vehicles allegedly used by ICE
plainclothes agents approaching laborers
coordinated arrests near store entrances
questioning of individuals perceived to be Latino

Home Depot strongly denies cooperating with ICE. But denials alone do not satisfy communities who say:

enforcement keeps happening,
fear keeps rising, and
Home Depot provides no visible protection.

This is happening during a period of heightened ICE enforcement driven by the administration’s “Integrity” campaign and a surge in ICE–USCIS–CBP data fusion.

HLG has documented these trends extensively:

Immigration attorney Richard Herman notes:

“Whether Home Depot invited ICE or not, these repeated incidents show one truth: immigrant families feel unsafe. Corporations that serve diverse communities must do far more than issue denials.”

SECTION 1 — WHAT THE NEWSWEEK REPORT ACTUALLY FOUND

Key Findings From the Newsweek Investigation

Immigrant customers repeatedly reported ICE activity near Home Depot.
Videos document what appear to be officers monitoring day laborers.
Advocacy groups claim ICE uses Home Depot lots as “soft targets” for detentions.
Boycott calls surged immediately after publication.

Link:
Newsweek: Home Depot ICE Involvement

Call-Out Box: Additional Media Coverage

Other media outlets covering similar patterns across the U.S.:

AP News — retail-sector ICE monitoring
Reuters — enforcement in public commercial spaces
Univision — interviews with day laborers in Texas & California
Telemundo — viral footage of parking-lot detentions
NPR — “ICE enforcement increasingly visible in everyday retail spaces”
Cleveland.com — immigrant safety concerns in Ohio retail zones

These reports reinforce the credibility and pervasiveness of the allegations.

SECTION 2 — WHY HOME DEPOT IS A DAY-LABOR MAGNET

Why Day Laborers Gather at These Stores

Contractors know workers gather here.
Parking lots are open, accessible, and unregulated.
Tools, materials, and supplies are immediately available.
Workers can find jobs quickly and safely—until ICE arrives.

Why This Matters

Day laborers—many undocumented—are disproportionately targeted during public-space enforcement. Home Depot’s high visibility makes it a prime location for federal surveillance.

Related HLG Analysis

SECTION 3 — HOME DEPOT’S OFFICIAL RESPONSE

What Home Depot Says

“We do not collaborate with ICE.”
“We do not provide information or assistance.”
“We cannot control law enforcement in public spaces.”

What Critics Say

Denials are not equivalent to protection policies.
Home Depot refuses to post “No ICE cooperation” signage.
Stores are not trained to recognize or prevent profiling.
Security teams may be inconsistently enforcing rights protections.

HLG Perspective

Corporations often “over-comply” with law enforcement out of fear, lack of knowledge, or perceived obligation—creating de facto cooperation even without formal agreements.

#HOMEDEPORT BOYCOTT IS EXPLODING

SECTION 4 — WHY THE #HOMEDEPORT BOYCOTT IS EXPLODING

Momentum Sources

TikTok creators documenting ICE sightings
Latino influencers promoting #HomeDeport
Advocacy groups sharing HLG investigations
Newsweek amplification
Rising fear in mixed-status families
Increased ICE operations at retail stores

Key HLG Resources Fueling Boycotts

Economic Reality

Latino and immigrant consumers represent trillions in annual spending. Boycotts can:

shift corporate policies
force public commitments
drive national media coverage
reshape political pressure

SECTION 5 — SAFETY GUIDE: WHAT IMMIGRANTS SHOULD KNOW BEFORE VISITING HOME DEPOT

Know Your Rights in Parking Lots

You do not have to answer questions.
ICE needs a judge-signed warrant to detain inside private spaces.
You can record ICE encounters.
You can leave unless detained.
Do not run, flee, or present false documents.

For Mixed-Status Families

Travel together
Keep documents digital + accessible
Avoid large day-labor gatherings if anxious
Identify safe exit routes
Share trip plans with loved ones

For Day Laborers

Avoid working with unknown individuals offering “too good to be true” jobs
Watch for unmarked vehicles
Travel in pairs
Document suspicious activity

HLG Guides

SECTION 6 — LEGAL BREAKDOWN: WHEN CORPORATE COOPERATION BECOMES ILLEGAL

Corporations cannot:

Share customer data without a lawful request
Provide footage without subpoena
Allow ICE into private back-of-house areas
Facilitate racially targeted questioning
Enable detentions without legal basis

Corporations may inadvertently cooperate when:

Security teams provide access without understanding warrant rules
Managers misunderstand ICE’s authority
Staff feel pressured to comply without verification

HLG’s position: Ignorance is not neutrality.

SECTION 7 — THE RISE OF IMMIGRANT ECONOMIC POWER & CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY

Latino & Immigrant Consumer Impact

Over $2.5 trillion in national spending power
Billions in Midwest retail spending
A growing economic bloc with political influence

Boycott Effectiveness

Past boycotts forced major changes at:

Amazon
Tyson
Koch Foods
7-Eleven
GEO Group-associated vendors

HLG’s investigations continue to expose corporate behavior:

Companies Facing Boycotts

SECTION 8 — WHY THIS MATTERS FOR OHIO IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

Ohio cities have:

Rapidly expanding Latino populations
High construction-sector employment
Day-laborer hubs at home-improvement stores
Increased ICE visibility
Strong immigrant-rights advocacy networks

Search spikes for “Home Deport,” “Home Depot ICE,” and “retail ICE sightings” are highest in:

Cleveland
Columbus
Cincinnati
Dayton
Akron
Toledo
Youngstown

HLG is the leading Ohio-based immigration law firm with 30+ years of experience protecting immigrant families.

EXPERT QUOTES BY RICHARD HERMAN

“Corporations must not be neutral when immigrant customers feel unsafe. Silence is not safety. Silence is complicity.”

“When a mixed-status family is afraid to buy a hammer or a light bulb, something has gone terribly wrong with our enforcement priorities.”

OHIO VS. NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAWYERS (COMPARISON TABLE)

Key Area	Herman Legal Group (Ohio-Based, National Reach)	Many National Firms
ICE enforcement experience	30+ years	Limited or regional
Mixed-status family defense	Highly specialized	Often generic
Marriage green cards	Deep experience	Varies widely
Emergency ICE response	Local + rapid	Call center routing
Presence in Ohio metros	Strong	Often none

Schedule a consultation:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

EXPANDED FAQ — Home Depot, ICE, and Immigrant Safety in 2025–26

A. HOME DEPOT & ICE ALLEGATIONS

1. Did Home Depot actually cooperate with ICE?

Home Depot denies any formal cooperation with ICE. However, immigrant communities have reported repeated sightings of ICE agents near store entrances and parking lots.
Newsweek’s investigation documented these allegations:
Newsweek: Home Depot ICE Involvement
Whether or not Home Depot formally cooperated, the frequency of incidents has created a widespread perception of complicity.

2. What exactly did the Newsweek article say?

Key highlights from the Newsweek report include:

Eyewitness accounts of ICE presence near Home Depot stores
Video evidence circulating online showing unmarked vehicles
Concerns that Home Depot’s parking lots have become “soft enforcement zones”
Boycott movements growing on TikTok and X
Home Depot refusing to provide detailed responses to questions

This article triggered a national conversation that is still unfolding.

3. Why are immigrant communities alarmed?

Because Home Depot is a major hub for day laborers, particularly workers from Latino and immigrant communities. ICE visibility in such spaces feels like targeted profiling, especially during a period of heightened enforcement.

4. Is this the first time Home Depot has been linked to an ICE controversy?

No.
HLG has previously documented patterns of corporate silence, ambiguity, and community mistrust, including analysis in:

5. Does Home Depot have an anti-ICE policy?

No clear policy is published.
Home Depot does not publicly state that:

ICE is not allowed on private areas of its property, or
customers will be protected from profiling

Many immigrant-serving retailers (e.g., supermarkets in Latino areas) do publish such policies, which is part of the reason activists say Home Depot is behind.

6. What has Home Depot said in response to the allegations?

Their core message has been:

“We do not collaborate with immigration enforcement.”
“We cannot prevent law enforcement activity in public spaces.”
“We respect all customers.”

Critics say the response is vague, non-committal, and does not address safety concerns.

7. Is Home Depot legally required to allow ICE onto its property?

No.
If ICE does not have a judicial warrant, Home Depot can legally:

Ask ICE to leave private areas
Prevent them from entering staff-only zones
Restrict access to surveillance equipment
Require proper documentation

Home Depot has not clarified whether they take any of these steps.

8. Are these incidents happening nationwide, or only in certain states?

Reports exist in:

California
Texas
Georgia
Florida
Illinois
Arizona
Ohio
New York

This is a national pattern, not a localized one.

9. Are there videos of ICE activity at Home Depot?

Yes. Videos appear across TikTok, IG Reels, and WhatsApp. Some show:

Unmarked cars
Plainclothes agents
Questioning of workers
Arrests in parking lots

While video authenticity varies, the volume and consistency across platforms is notable.

10. Are Home Depot employees involved?

There is no documented evidence of formal involvement.
However, some workers have been accused (online) of warning ICE about day-laborer congregation patterns. These claims remain unverified.

B. BOYCOTTS & COMMUNITY RESPONSE

11. Why is it called “Home Deport”?

“Home Deport” is a viral nickname implying that Home Depot functions as a de facto deportation zone due to frequent ICE sightings.

12. Why are boycott calls growing?

Because communities believe:

Home Depot is not protecting immigrant customers
ICE uses parking lots strategically
Corporate silence increases risk
Day laborers are disproportionately targeted

HLG’s boycott guides have also accelerated awareness:
Black Friday ICE Boycott Guide

13. Do boycotts actually work?

Yes.
Past boycotts forced major companies (including food processors and retail chains) to:

Change leadership
Issue public statements
Implement worker-safety policies
Provide transparency reports

Consumer pressure is one of the most effective tools for immigrant communities.

14. Are other companies facing similar boycotts?

Yes.
See HLG’s full list:
Which Companies Are Facing Boycotts for ICE Links

15. Are Latino influencers involved in promoting the boycott?

Yes. Influencers, activists, community organizers, and immigrant journalists have been crucial in spreading this movement across:

TikTok
Instagram
X
Facebook groups
WhatsApp communities

16. Is Home Depot losing business because of the boycott?

It is too early to know conclusively, but social-media analytics show significant shifts in sentiment, especially among Latino audiences.

17. Could Home Depot reverse the backlash?

Yes — with a clear, enforceable policy against cooperating with ICE.
But they have not yet taken that step.

C. RIGHTS & SAFETY IN RETAIL SPACES

18. Can ICE legally approach someone in a parking lot?

Yes, if it is a public area and the individual is not detained.
Parking lots are considered “public access zones.”

19. Do I have to answer ICE questions?

No.
You have the right to:

Remain silent
Decline to answer
Ask if you are free to leave
Walk away calmly

20. Can ICE force me to show ID?

No — unless they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and are acting under proper authority. Immigration status alone is not enough.

21. Can I record ICE officers?

Yes.
You have the right to record law enforcement as long as you do not interfere.

22. Can ICE detain me without a warrant?

They can detain based on probable cause of removability, but they need a judicial warrant for certain actions in private spaces (inside stores, non-public zones, etc.)

23. What should I do if ICE approaches me?

Stay calm
Ask: “Am I free to leave?”
If yes, walk away
Do not lie
Do not present false documents
Call your attorney

Consult with HLG here:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

24. Can ICE ask for my immigration documents?

They can ask — you are not required to answer.

25. Can ICE stop me because of how I look or sound?

No — racial or ethnic profiling is illegal.
But in practice, profiling happens frequently.

D. MIXED-STATUS FAMILIES

26. Are mixed-status couples at risk at Home Depot?

Yes.
Agents may attempt to question the non-citizen spouse, which can escalate quickly.

27. Can ICE target a U.S. citizen spouse?

They cannot detain a U.S. citizen for immigration violations, but they may:

Attempt to separate couples
Ask probing questions
Request identification

These interactions can be frightening and destabilizing.

28. Should mixed-status families avoid big-box retailers during this enforcement climate?

Not necessarily — but they should take precautions, especially where day laborers gather.

29. Can ICE detain someone during a Home Depot trip even if they have no criminal record?

Yes.
ICE often targets individuals solely based on civil immigration violations, including overstays.

30. What should families bring when shopping?

Lawyer’s contact info
Digital copies of documents
Phone battery backup
Emergency safety plan

31. What if my spouse has a pending marriage green card?

Pending cases do not protect against ICE.

See HLG’s marriage-based resources for guidance.

E. DAY LABORERS & WORKPLACE ISSUES

32. Why does ICE target day laborers?

Because they are:

Visible
Concentrated
Often undocumented
Economically vulnerable

33. Are day laborers protected under U.S. law?

Yes. All workers — regardless of immigration status — are protected under:

Wage laws
Anti-retaliation protections
Safety regulations

34. Does Home Depot have any responsibility to protect day laborers?

Morally: Yes.
Legally: Unclear, but corporations can take steps to discourage discriminatory profiling on their property.

35. Are contractors involved in tipping off ICE?

There is no verified evidence, but rumors spread frequently in online communities.

36. Should day laborers avoid Home Depot?

Workers should use caution, not necessarily avoid. Consider:

Traveling in groups
Avoiding suspicious recruiters
Having a safety plan

F. CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

37. Is Home Depot required to disclose ICE incidents?

No — there is no mandatory transparency requirement.
Advocates want this changed.

38. Are retailers like Home Depot regulated in how they interact with ICE?

Only partially.
Retailers CAN:

Deny access to non-public areas
Require warrants
Create staff protocols
Post “no cooperation” signage

39. Could Home Depot face legal consequences?

Yes, if they:

Violate customer privacy
Share data unlawfully
Facilitate discriminatory targeting

40. Can a retailer call ICE proactively?

They can, but doing so without cause could expose them to civil liability.

G. PRIVACY, FOOTAGE & DATA SHARING

41. Can Home Depot share surveillance footage with ICE?

Only with:

A subpoena,
A judicial warrant, or
Lawful request under federal regulations.

Voluntary sharing without legal basis may violate privacy law.

42. Can Home Depot share customer information with ICE?

Not without proper legal authority.

43. Do corporations often “over-share” with ICE?

Yes — often out of fear, confusion, or to avoid perceived liability.

44. Can ICE access license-plate readers used in parking lots?

Some states allow it; others restrict it.
Policies vary by jurisdiction and vendor.

45. Can ICE impersonate contractors or recruiters?

Yes — undercover operations are legal, and have been used in past stings.

H. OHIO-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

46. Why is Ohio seeing increasing ICE activity near retail stores?

Ohio has:

Large construction workforce
Growing Latino communities
High day-laborer concentration
Many Home Depot locations situated near immigrant neighborhoods

47. Are ICE operations more aggressive in Ohio than elsewhere?

Aggressiveness varies by field office, but the Great Lakes region (Ohio, Michigan) has seen increased enforcement since 2024.

48. Are Ohio Home Depot stores considered high risk?

In cities like:

Cleveland
Columbus
Cincinnati
Dayton
Akron

…home-improvement stores are frequent gathering points for day laborers, making them higher visibility locations for potential enforcement.

49. Should Ohio families avoid these stores?

Not necessarily — but elevated caution is recommended.

50. Where can Ohio immigrants get legal help?

Herman Legal Group has served Ohio for over 30 years and provides confidential help for:

ICE arrests
Fear of enforcement
Mixed-status family planning
Marriage green cards
Removal defense

Schedule a consultation:
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation/

COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE DIRECTORY

(Government • Media • Herman Legal Group • Research & Data • Community Organizations • Ohio-Specific Resources)

A. Government Resources

U.S. Immigration Agencies & Enforcement

USCIS – Official Website
https://www.uscis.gov
ICE – Enforcement & Removal Operations (ERO)
https://www.ice.gov/ero
CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection
https://www.cbp.gov
DHS – Department of Homeland Security: Policies & Press Releases
https://www.dhs.gov/news
EOIR – Immigration Court System
https://www.justice.gov/eoir

Worker & Civil Rights Protections

Department of Justice – Immigrant Worker Rights Division
https://www.justice.gov/crt/immigrant-and-employee-rights-section
Department of Labor – Wage & Hour Division
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd
OSHA – Workplace Safety Protections
https://www.osha.gov

Know Your Rights Materials (Government)

ACLU – Know Your Rights (ICE, Police, Border Patrol)
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights
USCIS – Avoid Scams / Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law
https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams

B. National & International Media Resources

(outlets covering ICE enforcement and corporate accountability.)

Major U.S. Media

Newsweek – Home Depot ICE Allegations (Primary Article)
https://www.newsweek.com/home-depot-ice-involvement-boycott-calls-grow-11082610
Associated Press – Immigration Enforcement Coverage
https://apnews.com/hub/immigration
Reuters – Immigration & Border Security
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/immigration/
NPR – Immigration News & Policy
https://www.npr.org/tags/138331426/immigration

Spanish-Language Media

Univision – Inmigración Noticias
https://www.univision.com/noticias/inmigracion
Telemundo – Inmigración
https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/inmigracion
La Opinión – Immigrant Rights & Advocacy
https://laopinion.com/categoria/inmigracion/

C. Herman Legal Group (HLG) In-Depth Investigations & Guides

( published on https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/)

D. Immigration Research, Think Tanks & Policy Analysis

Top Research Organizations

Migration Policy Institute (MPI) – Immigration Data & Policy
https://www.migrationpolicy.org
Pew Research Center – Immigrant Demographics
https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/immigration-migration/
National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) – Immigration Reports
https://nfap.com
Cato Institute – Immigration Studies
https://www.cato.org/research/immigration

Academic & Economic Resources

Federal Reserve – Economic Impact of Immigration
https://www.federalreserve.gov
Brookings Institution – Immigration Policy
https://www.brookings.edu/topic/immigration/

E. Community Advocacy & Civil Rights Organizations

U.S. National Organizations

United We Dream
https://unitedwedream.org
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
https://www.nilc.org
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
https://www.aila.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
https://www.ilrc.org

Worker Advocacy Organizations

National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)
https://ndlon.org
Worker’s Center for Racial Justice
https://wcrj.org

F. Ohio-Specific & Midwest Immigration Resources

Ohio News & Media

Cleveland.com – Immigration Coverage
https://www.cleveland.com
Columbus Dispatch
https://www.dispatch.com
Cincinnati Enquirer
https://www.cincinnati.com

Ohio Immigration Advocacy

Ohio Immigrant Alliance
https://ohioimmigrant.org
HOLA Ohio (Hispanic Outreach Leadership Advocacy)
https://holaohio.org
Cleveland Catholic Charities Migration & Refugee Services
https://www.ccdocle.org/service-areas/migration-refugee-services

Local Legal Support

Herman Legal Group – Ohio Offices
https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com

G. Enforcement Tracking & Data Transparency

TRAC Immigration (Syracuse University) – ICE Data, Deportation Stats
https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/
ICE Detention Facility Locator
https://www.ice.gov/detention-facilities
DHS FOIA Library
https://www.dhs.gov/foia

H. Consumer Protection & Corporate Ethics

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
https://www.bbb.org
Corporate Accountability Lab
https://corpaccountabilitylab.org
Public Citizen – Corporate Oversight Reports
https://www.citizen.org

I. Emergency Safety & Hotline Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline
https://www.thehotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
https://humantraffickinghotline.org
NIJC Detention Helpline
https://immigrantjustice.org

KEY TAKEAWAYS

#1 — Home Depot Is Under National Scrutiny

Newsweek and multiple media outlets report repeated claims of ICE presence at Home Depot stores.
While Home Depot denies cooperation, immigrant communities report consistent, alarming patterns.

#2 — ICE Enforcement in Public Commercial Spaces Is Increasing

2025–26 has seen a major rise in ICE surveillance of parking lots, retail zones, and transit hubs—making day laborers and mixed-status families more vulnerable.

#3 — Corporate Neutrality Is Not Safety

Home Depot’s silence and lack of explicit anti-ICE policies contribute to fear and mistrust. Retailers can restrict cooperation with ICE but often fail to act.

#4 — Boycotts Are Spreading Across Latino & Immigrant Communities

The #HomeDeport movement is growing rapidly, driven by TikTok, WhatsApp, and reporting from HLG.
Immigrant consumers control trillions in national spending power.

#5 — Mixed-Status Families Need Clear Safety Plans

Public spaces remain high-risk for undocumented individuals and their families.
Know-your-rights education and legal planning are essential.

#6 — Day Laborers Are Especially Vulnerable

Home-improvement stores attract day laborers—and therefore attract ICE surveillance.
Workers should take extra precautions, including recording incidents and traveling in groups.

#7 — Ohio Is Emerging as a Major Search Hotspot for Home Depot + ICE Issues

Ohio cities (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown) are experiencing increased enforcement, elevated fear, and rising online search volume.

#8 — Legal Guidance Is Essential During Heightened Enforcement

HLG’s 30+ years of experience make it one of the nation’s most trusted firms for:

Deportation defense
ICE arrest response
Marriage-based green cards
Mixed-status family safety
Corporate enforcement analysis