Monrovia community holds vigil for laborer killed during immigration enforcement incident

Community members and organizers held a vigil in Monrovia, California, to mark one year since the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez. Montoya, a 52-year-old father of four from Guatemala, died in August 2025 after fleeing from immigration enforcement agents in a Home Depot parking lot. According to reports, Montoya ran toward the 210 Freeway after encountering armed agents, where he was tragically struck by a vehicle.

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) organized the event, which included a march to the site where Montoya sought daily work. Participants used 78 coffins to represent individuals who have died during or as a result of ICE operations. Organizers are calling for increased transparency, specifically demanding legislation that requires large retailers to disclose records related to immigration enforcement activity at their locations.

While the Department of Homeland Security has denied that its agents chased Montoya, his family and community advocates continue to seek answers. Montoya’s daughter, Ana, provided a message from Guatemala, expressing gratitude to the community for ensuring her father’s memory is not forgotten. The family is still awaiting the results of an investigation by the California Highway Patrol regarding the circumstances of his death.