Iconic Dodgers Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrín has powerful comments on ICE raids

And more people should listen.
Mural Of Late Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Unveiled
Mural Of Late Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Unveiled | Harry How/GettyImages

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have tiptoed around taking an official stance on the recent immigration reinforcements and ICE raids in Southern California, one of their franchise legends is refusing to stay silent.

Jaime Jarrín , who was the Spanish-language announcer for the Dodgers for 64 years until his retirement in 2022, shared an emotional social media post in both English and Spanish this week in which he expressed support for the immigrant community and encouraged those peacefully protesting the ICE raids to "stay strong" and "keep showing up."

“As an immigrant who came to this country 70 years ago, I know firsthand the hope, courage and determination it takes to build a new life in a new land,” Jarrín wrote. “I have always believed that immigration is not just part of the American story; it is the American story.”

Jarrín, an Ecuadorian immigrant, said that he, too, feels as though he has a target on his back despite spending seven decades in the United States.

“It would not surprise me to have someone come to my door and ask for my papers,” Jarrín told Lolita Lopez and Helen Jeong of NBC Los Angeles.

Dodgers Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrín has powerful comments on ICE raids

Without taking an official stance on immigration rights, the Dodgers announced last week that they had committed $1 million toward "direct financial assistance for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region."

Those "recent events" include federal immigration agents attempting to use a Dodger Stadium parking lot as their staging area last week after President Donald Trump directed federal immigration authorities to expand operations in Los Angeles, as well as other cities. Jarrín was glad to see that the agents were denied access to the stadium grounds, saying, "It pains me to see federal agents attempting to enter the stadium, my home, a spiritual place."

The Dodgers also announced plans for additional announcements with local community and labor organizations, including the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and others who are "directly supporting our communities to aid youth and families with food insecurity, basic essentials and mental health services."

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