Immigration raids have shaken communities across Los Angeles County. How can you help?
- Share via
If you are looking to support families that have been affected by the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids as well as local immigrant communities in need, you have a number of donation options, including organizations that can accept monetary contributions, supplies and volunteer time.
The ICE raids over the past several days have impacted several communities in Los Angeles County, including the city of Los Angeles, Paramount, Culver City and Boyle Heights.
It’s unclear exactly how many undocumented immigrants have been affected, but the White House said federal agents have arrested 330 immigrants in Southern California and the Central Coast since the onset of the raids on Friday.
Among those deported during the raids was Jose Ortiz, who worked for Ambiance Apparel, a warehouse in Los Angeles’ Fashion District, for the last 18 years. On Sunday, Jesus Cruz, 52, was detained while he was working as a cleaner at Westchester Hand Wash. Further up the coast, ICE agents had reportedly shown up at farm fields and packinghouses from the Central Coast to the San Joaquin Valley.
The Department of Homeland Security released a list of nine men who the federal agency said were arrested and have serious criminal records.
Since the raids began on Friday, several local and regional organizations began collecting funds and donated items to help those whose family members have been detained or already deported. The aid is also going to immigrant community members who live in fear of being swept up in future raids.
This story will be updated as more organizations post their needs for support.
Immigration raids Friday led to the arrests of dozens of people and caused hours of chaos in downtown L.A. Here is what we know so far.
The YMCA
What it does: The YMCA is providing care and connections to protect children, youth and community members through distribution of food, supplies and free mental health support. The New American Welcome Center helps immigrants “fully integrate into American society and prepare receiving communities to be welcoming and inclusive.”
How you can help: You can volunteer your time at a participating YMCA location by sending an email to volunteer@ymcala.org.
Several YMCA locations are also accepting nonperishable food items (canned goods, rice, pasta), personal hygiene items and household essentials (toilet paper, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies), as well as baby and children’s items (formula, diapers, wipes and snacks).
Donation drop-off sites:
- Anderson Munger: 4301 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90020
- Stuart M. Ketchum-Downtown: 401 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90071-1900
- Mid Valley Family: 6901 Lennoz Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91405-4093
- Southeast-Rio Vista: 4801 E. 58th St., Maywood, CA 90270
- Weingart East Los Angeles: 2900 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023
- Wilmington: 1127 N Avalon Blvd., Wilmington, CA 90744
Órale
What it does: Órale is currently providing its immigrant community members in Long Beach with legal resources and bagged groceries with further resources to be added in the coming days.
In 2018, during the Trump administration’s first term, the organization advocated for the city of Long Beach to open the Long Beach Justice Fund, which funded pro bono legal representation for undocumented Long Beach residents who were facing deportation orders.
The fund supported legal assistance for 40 Long Beach residents. Órale is asking the city of Long Beach to reinvest in the program.
How you can help: You can support the organization’s efforts by making a monetary donation online.
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
What it does: The Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project currently has staff on-hand to take calls from those who have been arrested and detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and the Desert View Annex.
In collaboration with LA Rapid Response Network, the organization is providing legal services including pro bono representation, language translation services and referrals for bond payment for those who have been arrested and detained.
How you can help: You can make an online monetary donation in the amount of your choice to support the organization’s efforts.
While some ICE sweeps appear to be centered on certain workplaces, others seem to be chosen at random.
Not Us Without You
What it does: Not Us Without You is a grassroots charity aimed at providing food relief to undocumented hospitality workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their work has continued since and now provides food security for 500 families monthly.
How you can help: The organization is currently asking for local restaurant owners or chefs to donate a meal to support families of mixed status that are in need and possibly aren’t leaving their homes out of fear of being picked up by ICE agents.
Interested restaurant partners can directly message Not Us Without You’s Instagram account or fill out this online contact form.
For those not in the restaurant industry looking to support the organization’s efforts, you can make a monetary donation online.
Comunidades Indígenas en Liderazgo (CIELO)
What it does: CIELO, an Indigenous women-led nonprofit organization that works jointly with Indigenous communities in Los Angeles, is delivering food to impacted families and those in the community who are afraid to go out for fear of being caught up in ICE raids. Food deliveries will be made on Friday, June 13, and Tuesday, June 17.
How you can help: You can help CIELO purchase groceries for families in need by making an online monetary donation.
Con Raíces y Voz: Latinos in Public Health
What it does: Con Raíces y Voz is a grassroots organization in Boyle Heights that is providing grocery and essential items to those in the community who feel they are unable to leave their homes due to recent ICE activity.
How you can help: You can sign up to volunteer with the organization by filling out an online application.
On Friday, the organization will be at the Come Together musical event held at Mariachi Plaza at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 and proceeds will go toward the California Immigrant Policy Center, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, ICE Out of LA Bail Fund and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
At the event, members will also be on hand to accept donated items. You can donate household items, canned food and baby supplies.
CLEAN Carwash Worker Center
What it does: CLEAN Carwash Worker Center is a labor advocacy nonprofit that supports car wash workers through leadership and training programs.
The nonprofit has been working to identify and support workers who have been detained during ICE raids that have took place at car washes in Los Angeles and Orange County.
How you can help: You can make a monetary donation to the nonprofit’s Car Wash Worker Solidarity Fund, which provides financial support to car washers and their families. Proceeds directly support legal fees, groceries, rent assistance, medical bills and transportation expenses.
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
What it does: Immigrant Defenders Law Center is n nonprofit that provides deportation defense, legal representation, legal education and social services for detained and non-detained children and adults. It serves clients in more than 10 counties in California, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino and the San Diego-Tijuana border region.
How you can help: You can support their work by making an online monetary donation.
GoFundMe supporting families of Ambiance Apparel raids
What it does: At least two verified GoFundMe accounts have been created to support families whose loved ones worked at Ambiance Apparel and were detained by ICE officials during a Friday raid.
How you can help:
- This fundraiser was created to support the families of three detained individuals who were the primary income providers of their homes. Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the families’ immediate needs including rent assistance, groceries, medications, transportation costs, childcare, baby formula and diapers. You can make an online monetary donation to this fundraiser; proceeds will be distributed to the three families.
- This fundraiser was created by Itzel Ponce, whose father, Rodolfo, was detained by ICE officials. The proceeds of this fundraiser are going toward legal representation for Rodolfo. You can make an online monetary donation here.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
What it does: CHIRLA is an advocacy group that focuses on the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees in Los Angeles and throughout the state of California. Its services include free and low-cost legal services and community education.
How you can help: You can make a monetary donation toward CHIRLA’s efforts online.
World Harvest
What it does: World Harvest Charities & Family Services’ Cart with a Heart program is providing families who are sheltering in place with grocery carts full of fresh produce, protein, pantry supplies and more.
How you can help: You can make a $50 donation to the Cart with a Heart program online, which provides one family with a cart of groceries.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
In “Rebuilding Los Angeles,” Kate Cagle explores the aftermath of L.A.’s recent wildfires, examining systemic failures and innovative recovery efforts while sharing inspiring stories of community resilience in the face of climate change.
Madison McGhee and Andie Cassette talk about the correlation between love, lust, and crime on this week’s bonus episode.
In Nevada, Sammy Roth and botanist Naomi Fraga view the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat, a flower obstructing a lithium mine crucial for the clean energy transition.
