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Know Your Options

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is active in Los Angeles.

Know your rights to protect yourself and your community. 

Talk to a legal services provider about your immigration status.

Use immigrationlawhelp.org to find free or low-cost help.

Ask if you can:

  • Become a U.S. citizen (if you have a green card)
  • Get a green card (if you have a visa)
  • Apply for a visa or work permit (if undocumented)
  • Clear any arrests or convictions from your record

Make a Child Care & Family Preparedness Plan

  • Verbal Agreement
  • Easy, quick, doesn’t require forms, doesn’t affect parental rights.
  • Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (CAA)
    • Allows caregiver to make school and medical decisions, doesn’t affect your custody.
  • Legal Guardianship
    • Caregiver has full legal/physical custody, can make all decisions.
Other Critical Steps to Prepare
  •  Write Down Medical Info
    • List allergies, conditions, medications, doctors, and insurance info.
    • Share with school and caregiver.
  •  Ensure Your Child Has a Passport
    • U.S.-born: travel.state.gov
    • Foreign-born: Contact your country’s consulate.
  • Make Sure Family Can Locate You If Detained by ICE
  • Talk to Your Family
    • Reassure your kids they'll be cared for.
    • Let them know who is designated to help if you're gone.

Know What to Carry (And What NOT To)

  • Carry:
    • Valid work permit or green card
    • Municipal or state ID without immigration info
    • “Red Card” asserting your right to remain silent ilrc.org/red-cards
  • DO NOT carry:
    • False documents
    • Papers showing your country of origin

Everyone — documented or not — has rights.

  • Stay silent: You are not required to answer questions.
  • Do NOT open the door without a judge-signed warrant. Ask them to slide it under the door.
  • Do NOT sign anything without a lawyer.
  • Do NOT show documents without legal advice.
  • Do NOT run—stay calm.

What Allies Can Do

  • Safely record, document, and report ICE activity
  • Get names/badge numbers and witness contacts
  • Report abuses to:
    • United We Dream Hotline: 1-844-363-1423
    • Text: 877877
  • If you see ICE - LA Rapid Response Network: 1-888-624-4752
  • Immigrant Defenders Law Center Rapid Response Legal Resource Hotline  (213) 833-8283
  • If you are arrested while protesting -  Jail Support LA: 424-610-3020
  • Immigrant Legal Assistance: 213-201-3797
  • To locate a loved one that has been detained: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search OR call (213) 833-8283

Other Services and Resources

Mental Health Resources
  • Student & Family Wellness Line: (213) 241-3840 (Mon–Fri, 8AM–4:30PM)
  • Employee Support (EASE): 800-882-1341 (24/7)
Immigration services for community college students

https://findyourally.com/ 

Central American Resource Center:

 2845 West 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90005 (213) 385-7800 www.carecen-la.org 

Children's Law Center of California 

101 Centre Plaza Dr.
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(323) 980-1700
www.clccal.org 

Immigration Center for Women and Children 

634 South Spring St., Suite 727
Los Angeles, CA 90014 
(213) 614-1165
www.icwclaw.org 

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

1550 West 8th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(800) 399-4529
www.lafla.org