- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Monrovia Today
By the People, for the People
Advocates Call for Permanent Memorial for Monrovia Day Laborer
Immigrant advocates seek remembrance and accountability six months after the death of Carlos Montoya.
Published on Feb. 12, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A group of residents and immigrant advocates in Monrovia, California are calling for a permanent memorial to honor Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old Guatemalan day laborer who was struck and killed by an SUV on the 210 freeway on August 14, 2024 after fleeing from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a local Home Depot. The advocates have been attending Monrovia City Council meetings to request the city's support in building a memorial, such as a mural, to remember Montoya and the dozens of other immigrants who have died during the Trump administration's federal immigration crackdown.
Why it matters
Montoya's death has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from immigrant advocates who say he was simply trying to work and was not a violent criminal targeted for deportation. The advocates argue that ICE operations in public areas without notice endanger residents and undermine community trust. They are seeking a permanent memorial to honor Montoya and the dozens of other immigrants who have died during the federal immigration crackdown.
The details
On August 14, 2024, Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old Guatemalan day laborer, was struck and killed by an SUV on the 210 freeway in Monrovia after he ran from ICE agents at a local Home Depot. Advocates say Montoya came to the U.S. simply to work and was not a violent criminal targeted for deportation. In the months since his death, immigrant advocates have been attending Monrovia City Council meetings to request the city's support in building a permanent memorial, such as a mural, to honor Montoya and the dozens of other immigrants who have died during the Trump administration's federal immigration crackdown.
- On August 14, 2024, Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez was struck and killed by an SUV on the 210 freeway after fleeing from ICE agents.
- On February 10, 2026, advocates held a vigil outside Monrovia's State of the City address to remember Montoya and other immigrants who have died.
- On February 14, 2026, the six-month anniversary of Montoya's death, advocates plan to gather at the Home Depot in Monrovia to build altars in his memory.
The players
Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez
A 52-year-old Guatemalan day laborer who was struck and killed by an SUV on the 210 freeway in Monrovia on August 14, 2024 after fleeing from ICE agents.
Sheri Lochner
A nurse and teacher who grew up in Monrovia and has been attending Monrovia City Council meetings to advocate for a permanent memorial to honor Montoya.
Marlom Portillo
The popular education curriculum coordinator for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) in Pasadena.
Dylan Feik
The Monrovia City Manager who has met with advocates about a potential memorial for Montoya.
Jean Grant
The director of development and strategic partnerships at the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley.
What they’re saying
“I had to get involved, how could I not? The election happened and life in America as we knew it has changed.”
— Sheri Lochner, Nurse and teacher (sgvtribune.com)
“We will not allow them to forget his death. None of their deaths.”
— Marlom Portillo, Popular education curriculum coordinator, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (sgvtribune.com)
“My son worries about me but I have no choice. I have no choice but be a revolutionary.”
— Jean Grant, Director of development and strategic partnerships, Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley (sgvtribune.com)
What’s next
On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the six-month anniversary of Montoya's death, several groups plan to gather at the northeast corner of Monrovia's Home Depot to build two altars - one at the site where ICE agents attempted to arrest Montoya, and another near the spot where he died on the 210 freeway.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tensions and lack of transparency surrounding federal immigration enforcement actions in local communities, and the urgent need for accountability and memorials to honor the lives lost during the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.
