Here's where to get help if you're affected by the immigration sweeps in SoCal

LAist has a Spanish version of this guide.

A number of community groups and businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties are stepping up to support people who may choose to avoid public spaces as immigration sweeps continue here. L.A. County has a dedicated office on immigration affairs that continues to host “Know Your Rights” workshops in English and Spanish.

We also have a guide on what to do if ICE enters your community and how to prepare if a legal guardian is detained.

Here’s an evolving list of places that’ll help you with grocery drop-offs, remote jobs, and other essential items, and more resources are on the way.

Financial Aid

• The 805UndocuFund Emergency Assistance Fund is offering financial aid to those with detained family members in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. The emergency fund can be used for rent, utility bills and transportation. Call the group’s hotline to determine your eligibility: (805) 870-8855. 
• The L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund was created to provide direct monetary support for street vendors facing economic loss. 
• Anaheim is offering emergency grants to city residents affected by the recent immigration crackdown. Families must contact the city’s Family Resource Centers (downtown, Miraloma Park and Ponderosa Park), which are administering the grants. If you want to help, the Anaheim Community Foundation is accepting donations. 

Education

• Los Angeles Unified expanded its summer class options in response to widespread immigration raids. Here’s our guide on what the programs are like and how to sign up. 

Food

• The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is offering to drop off groceries or other essential items. Several Y locations are also acting as collection sites where people can drop off food and other essentials that will be put together as care packages. You can request one of those packages or coordinate a grocery delivery by emailing socialimpact@ymcala.org or calling (323) 244-9077.
• Not Us Without You LA, a public charity, provides food assistance to the immigrant community. You can apply for assistance here. The group is also accepting donations to support their efforts. 
• Raíces con Voz is a mutual aid group supporting undocumented families by dropping off groceries and other essentials. People can request support by directly messaging the group on Instagram @raicesconvozph. The group is also accepting donations of canned goods, non-perishable foods, hygiene items and other essentials via pick-up or drop-off.
• Aqui Para la Comunidad is also shopping and delivering groceries to people afraid to be out in public. You can request assistance through the group’s form here, also available in Spanish. 
• The city of El Monte, in collaboration with the El Monte Business Alliance, launched a rapid response initiative, helping families with food distribution, legal aid and case intake. Residents interested in receiving support can call (800) 622-4302.
• Project Food Box is offering to deliver free grocery boxes to some Medi-Cal members. Those interested need to file an online application and speak with the intake team. The program is designed to support people with diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, HIV, cancer, and other conditions. More information here.
• Downey resident Stephanie Turcios, who is organizing with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is providing free groceries. People can request support by calling (323) 486-6282. At this time, deliveries are only available for families in Bell, Downey, Huntington Park, Maywood, and South L.A.

Employment

• UndocuProfessionals is collecting a list of entry-level and remote opportunities for undocumented people who lost their jobs or cannot work due to the ICE raids. Here are the listings. 

Health

• L.A. Care patients can access healthcare remotely through virtual visits, on the phone and on video call appointments. Visit their site to find care. 
• For immediate mental health emergencies, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or visit the 988 website for online chat.

Rapid response networks and legal aid

Local rapid response networks can be contacted for immediate legal support.

• Los Angeles Rapid Response Network: (888) 624-4752
• Long Beach ÓRALE: (562) 245-9575
• Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles: (323) 805-1049

Orange County Rapid Response Network offers multiple, downloadable guides, including what to plan for in case a family member is detained or arrested, and what to do in the first 24 hours after someone gets arrested, including how to find a loved one through ICE’s detainee locator system. Also, a list of free legal resources. Call (714) 881-1558

USC Agents of Change created a free hotline to help people file motions to move their in-person immigration hearing appointments online. The service is available in English and Spanish. Call (888) 462-5211

VietRISE has information and resources for Vietnamese community members facing deportation and those supporting them.

Immigrant Defenders Law Center is available to support community members detained by ICE and their families. Call (213) 833-8283, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Immigration Advocates Network offers a database to find legal services near you. The database includes nonprofits that offer free or low-cost legal services.

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is connecting jornaleros detained by ICE legal resources and mutual aid. If you know a laborer who has been detained, call (626) 799-3566

The Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project offers free legal representation for immigrants, with a focus on helping children and families. Find more information on their website, and for general inquiries, call (213) 534-7594.

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles offers free legal assistance for low-income immigrants in over eight languages, including for inquiries about asylum, DACA, naturalization and visas. You can find whether you qualify for legal assistance here.

Southwestern Law School’s immigration law clinic provides free legal representation to low-income children and adults with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (clients under the age of 21), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (renewals only), U visas nonimmigrant status and U-based adjustment of status cases. Call (213) 738-5574 or email immigrationclinic@swlaw.edu.

The Public Law Center in Santa Ana assists low-income residents of Orange County in filing for immigration relief and with deportation defense. Call (714) 541-1010, ext. 332, and leave a voicemail to request an appointment.

How to help

If you have a question — or if you know a resource that should be on this list — please email us at tips@laist.com.