Posted on 06/12/2025
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is active in Los Angeles.
Know your rights to protect yourself and your community.
Know Your Options
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
- Use the ICE Detainee Locator
- Give loved ones your A-number (from immigration paperwork).
- 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
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
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