Over the weekend, thousands of Los Angeles residents flooded the city’s streets in response to large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the L.A., Paramount, and Compton areas.
According to a social media post by ICE, the agency arrested 118 immigrants during its time in the city last week.
On-the-ground reports share that many of these immigration sweeps were conducted at immigration offices where people were arriving for scheduled hearings, and at places of business like The Home Depot.
In response to these arrests — many of which have been reportedly carried out without due process — L.A. residents have organized protests throughout the city and attempted to block the transport of detainees.
These protesters have been met with force from federal authorities and the LAPD, including the use of “less lethal munitions,” such as flash bangs, pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
Calling the events a “riot,” President Donald Trump deployed 300 National Guard troops to the area and warned that more could be sent.
“Everybody here wants to be peaceful,” protester Anna Benedict told reporters from LAist. “We’ve been standing here for quite a while, and no one is menacing the National Guard. Everybody is just standing up for their own freedom.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass have pushed back against the Trump administration, with Newsom formally asking the president to withdraw the National Guard, and announcing that the state would be filing a lawsuit for the subsequent “unlawful” deployment of the National Guard.
“We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved,” Newsom wrote on social media on Sunday. “This is a serious breach of state sovereignty — inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed.”
As California leaders attempt to scale down ICE and National Guard presence in the area, protesters have maintained their efforts.
“We have to stand united against the attacks on the immigrant community because an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” a protester, Eli Lockwood, told LAist.
In the wake of a tense weekend and uncertain future, here are four ways you can support the immigrant community, in and out of L.A.
Here's how you can help immigrants amid protests in Los Angeles
Donate to local organizations helping immigrants in L.A.
Supporting local immigration organizations helps migrant communities access legal support, Know Your Rights trainings, and vital resources to help them thrive in their communities.
Here are a handful of L.A.-based nonprofits and funds you can support during this time:
- Inland Coalition For Immigrant Justice: A collective of over 35 organizations that serve the immigrant community in California through policy advocacy, community organizing and education, and rapid response to ICE and border patrol operations
- Immigrant Defenders Law Center: A nonprofit social justice law firm that defends California’s immigrant communities against systemic injustice
- California Immigrant Policy Center: A statewide immigrant rights organization that works to advance pro-immigrant policies across California
- San Bernardino Community Service Center: A local organization that provides immigrant communities with free and low-cost legal services, educational resources, new citizen support, and more
- Central American Resource Center: A group founded by Central American refugees in 1983 that provides free legal services, advocacy support, and a Day Labor Center for California’s immigrant community
- CLUE Immigrant Bond Fund: The nonprofit Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice is a group of interfaith leaders and community members that support local workers. They have created a bond fund for detained immigrants and their families.
Donate to national organizations helping immigrants.
Nationwide efforts to support the rights of immigrants also help fund the fight for justice in California. Here are some other organizations that could use your support:
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: Nationwide nonprofit that offers legal listservs, Know Your Rights resources, and educational materials for immigrants, while also advancing policy to protect migrants
- American Civil Liberties Union: The ACLU takes on strategic litigation, advocacy, and organizing to challenge ICE and Border Patrol abuses and violations, while helping pave a path to citizenship for thousands
- United We Dream: An immigrant youth-led organization that helps undocumented youth navigate citizenship, education, and the legal system in the U.S.
Know how to be an effective bystander.
If you are a U.S. citizen who witnesses an ICE raid, here are a few key things that are within your rights to do:
- If you see a raid possibly happening, unmarked cars, or ICE agents in your area, call a hotline to report the sighting. This helps mobilize area organizations to help provide immediate assistance.
- Text JOIN to 877-322-2299, and reply with your zip code to get alerts for ICE activity in your area from the Stop ICE Raids Alert Network. (You can also text REPORT to 877-322-2299 to report ICE activity.)
- Record any and all information you can in a video or by writing things down. Get information from the person being detained (name, phone number, a phone number of a loved one, their address, etc.), as well as badge numbers of ICE agents, license plate numbers, and car details like color, make, model, and any distinguishing features.
- If you can physically act as a translator or interpreter between immigrant communities and authorities, use that privilege to help!
For people who are not comfortable with protesting on the front lines, there is still plenty that you can do.
The Immigrant Legal Resources Center provides a myriad of resources for immigrant communities and supporters alike. These include:
- Legal listservs to find trusted immigration legal support in your area or direct community members to
- Print-at-home Know Your Rights cards — in nine different languages — that can be easily downloaded, printed, and distributed in any community
- A Know Your Rights toolkit, full of helpful video and written tutorials to know and share
- Contact information for California Rapid Response Networks, where people can report an ICE raid or other enforcement sightings
Mobilize in your own community.
While L.A. is currently the area facing the most strife, immigrant communities across the country need support right now. You don’t need to be on the front lines to assist.
First, join a Rapid Response Network in your area. These groups provide trainings to help you respond first in the event of an arrest, so you can offer legal resources, community support, and information to detainees and/or their families.
The National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has a whole list of state-by-state groups, resources, and hotlines for you to get started.
If you are more equipped to volunteer in a non-emergency environment, local immigrant resource centers across the country would be thrilled to have your time and talents.
From English tutoring and community building events to peaceful demonstrations and educational outreach, volunteering your time at a local level is one of the best ways to build relationships and support within immigrant communities.
Search for volunteer opportunities through the Immigrant Legal Resources Center’s nationwide directory.
Call your elected officials.
Call your local leaders, including your governor and mayor, and tell them you expect them to act swiftly to protect your community and your rights, if something like this happens in your state or city.
You can also call your elected officials in Congress and the Senate and demand they take action against unlawful deportations across the country.
Find all of your elected officials and reach out via phone or email.
