Comprehensive Know Your Rights Guide Against ICE Raids

The content is not legal advice and should not be construed as City of Los Angeles policy.  If you are in need of legal advice, please contact an attorney.

Your Fundamental Rights During ICE Encounters

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS RED CARDS

ILRC Red Cards/Tarjetas Rojas enable individuals to assert their rights and defend themselves in various situations, such as when ICE agents visit a home. 

Available in 39 languages, including Spanish, Korean, Armenian, Chinese, Tagalog, and Farsi.

You have constitutional rights: 

• TO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door. 

• TO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. 

• TO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer. 

• If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly. 

• TO GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.

These documents are for general informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice and should not be construed as City of Los Angeles policy.  If you are in need of legal advice, please contact an attorney.

Preparedness Checklist

• Carry a Know Your Rights card (available in many languages from immigrant rights organizations).
  • You have constitutional rights: 
  • • TO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door. 
  • • TO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent. 
  • • TO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without first speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer. 
  • • If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly. 
  • • TO GIVE THIS CARD TO THE AGENT. If you are inside of your home, show the card through the window or slide it under the door.
• Memorize emergency contacts:
  • Southern California Rapid Response Network: (888) 624-4752
  • ACLU Immigration Hotline: (213) 201-3773
• Secure important documents: Store birth certificates, passports, and medical records with a trusted person.
• Create a family plan: Designate caregivers for children and share your immigration number (“A” number) with trusted family or friends.

Please note: While the City strives to include links to valuable external websites, we are not responsible for the accuracy of that information. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by  the City of Los Angeles. Users should exercise their own discretion when visiting external links.

Los Angeles Legal Services for Immigrants

Nonprofit Legal Organizations

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
Offers free legal representation and education for vulnerable immigrants, with a focus on children and families.
Website: esperanza-la.org

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) – East Los Angeles Office
Provides free legal help for low-income immigrants, including assistance with asylum, DACA, family petitions, naturalization, removal hearings, VAWA, and T and U visas. Services are available in multiple languages.
Website: lafla.org

International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA)
Offers immigration legal assistance, refugee resettlement, and social services for immigrants and refugees.
Website: iilosangeles.org

Los Angeles LGBT Center – Immigrant Legal Services
Provides legal consultations, court representation, asylum, family petitions, and removal defense for LGBTQ+ immigrants.
Website: lalgbtcenter.org/services/legal-services/immigrant-legal-services/

CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles)
Delivers legal services, know-your-rights training, advocacy, and rapid response support for immigrants.
Address: 2533 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Phone: (213) 353-1333
Website: chirla.org

Legal Clinics and Pro Bono Services

Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP) – Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
Offers walk-in legal assistance for low-income immigrants at no or low cost.
Location: 300 N. Los Angeles Street, Room 3107, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Website: lacba.org

UCLA Civil Rights Project – Immigration Legal Assistance Project
Provides legal assistance and counseling for low-income immigrants, sometimes for a small fee.
Website: civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/resources/community-tools/immigration

USC Gould Immigration Clinic
Provides free legal representation and confidential consultations for adults and children in a variety of immigration matters, including asylum, removal defense, and humanitarian relief.
Email: iclinic@law.usc.edu

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Provides legal representation and support for unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children to ensure their rights and well-being during immigration proceedings.
Email: infolosangeles@supportkind.org

Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Delivers holistic legal defense and advocacy for immigrants facing deportation, focusing on detained and non-detained adults and children in Los Angeles.
Email: info@immdef.org

El Rescate
Offers legal services, advocacy, and community education for immigrants and refugees, with a focus on Central American and Latino communities in Los Angeles.
Email: info@elrescate.org

Central American Resource Center of California (CARECEN)
Provides legal representation, policy advocacy, and community empowerment programs for Central American and immigrant families in Los Angeles.
Email: info@carecen-la.org 

Hotlines and Rapid Response

CHIRLA Rapid Response Hotline
Provides immediate support and guidance during immigration enforcement actions.
Phone: (888) 624-4752 or (213) 201-8773

Southern California Rapid Response Network
Offers rapid response support for immigrants in crisis.
Phone: (888) 624-4752

ACLU of Southern California Immigration Hotline
Provides legal support and information for immigrants.
Phone: (213) 201-3773