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
Summary Table
Organization/Service | Focus/Notes | Contact/Website |
---|---|---|
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project | Free legal representation, education | esperanza-la.org |
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) | Free legal aid, multiple languages | lafla.org |
International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) | Legal, refugee, and social services | |
Los Angeles LGBT Center – Immigrant Legal | LGBTQ+ immigrants, asylum, family petitions | |
CHIRLA | Legal services, advocacy, rapid response | |
LACBA ILAP | Walk-in clinic, free/low-cost legal help | 300 N. Los Angeles St., Room 3107 |
UCLA Civil Rights Project | Legal assistance, counseling, nominal fee | https://civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/resources/community-tools/immigration |
USC Gould Immigration Clinic | Legal representation, counseling | |
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) | For unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children | |
Immigrant Defenders Law Center | Defense and advocacy for deportation | |
El Rescate | Legal services and education | |
Central American Resource Center of California (CARECEN) | Representation, policy and community programs | lalgbtcenter.org/services/legal-services/immigrant-legal-services/ |
ACLU Southern California also has a rapid response network.
In case of an emergency, one can report ICE activity and enforcement actions by calling your local rapid response network.
Central Valley 559-206-0151
Kern County 661-432-2230
Los Angeles 888-624-4752
Boyle Heights (L.A.) 323-805-1049
Orange County 714-881-1558
San Bernardino/Riverside 909-361-4588
CHIRLA 213-353-1333
ORALE (Long Beach) 562-276-0267
Immigrant Defenders 213-833-8283
Immigrant Rapid Response Hotline 805-870-8855 (Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo)