LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – More than a week after Broadacres Marketplace suddenly closed, FOX5 uncovered new information – linking the closure to an apparent immigration raid at a swap meet in California.
On June 15, more than 100 federal agents from ICE, and the FBI, many in tactical gear, and masks, swept through the most popular swap meet near Los Angeles – the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet.
Shortly after the apparent raid, Border Patrol posted a heavily edited, fast-paced video on social media, showing agents moving through the California swap meet, with dramatic music, sweeping aerial shots and multiple camera angles.
However, FOX5 learned only two people were detained, neither of them vendors or employees.
Days after this, Broadacres Marketplace closed their doors. FOX5 previously reported, the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet and Broadacres in North Las Vegas are owned by the same parent company, Newport Diversified Inc.
FOX5 has now learned through sources, the company believed federal agents were planning to carry out a similar operation at the most popular swap meet in Las Vegas – Broadacres Marketplace.
For U.S. citizen and vendor, Mary Padilla, the closure is devastating.
“I feel sad, and I say, ‘Oh my god, what do we do,’ because this is the only thing we have to support our family, so we think ‘What do we do?’” Padilla explained.
Padilla said she supports her family by selling traditional Mexican wares, and since the closure, most of her merchandise is still inside Broadacres. Despite this, she explained she supports the market’s decision to close and keep immigrants safe.
“I feel so sad for the situation right now, we are struggling for pay bills too, but we support the community because I have my parents, and I support everybody,” she said.
Sources tell FOX5 multiple attorneys met with Broadacres and confirmed federal agents don’t need a warrant to access public spaces like vendor aisles and parking lots. Meaning, by federal law, management cannot stop agents from entering the public areas of the swap meets.
So far, Broadacres has not announced a timeline for reopening.
Padilla said she will continue to hope for a day when she is able to sell her merchandise at Broadacres again.
In a public statement, the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet made it clear they did not know ICE was coming and did not participate in any preplanning with federal officials.
Just days before closing, Broadacres posted a public statement reaffirming they do not cooperate with ICE.
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