Los Angeles City Councilman Urges Residents to Report Immigration Enforcement Activities

LOS ANGELES—With a noticeable increase in activity from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the nation, City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez urged residents on February 13 to utilize a newly established hotline for reporting incidents.

Formed by a coalition of over 25 immigrant advocacy, legal, labor, and faith-based groups collectively known as the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network (LARRN), the hotline serves to report ICE actions, connect individuals to legal assistance, and avert wrongful detentions.

Residents can reach LARRN’s national Immigrant Assistance Hotline at 888-624-4752.

Authorities stressed the importance for Southern California residents to report any immigration enforcement operations in real-time, confirm ICE activities before posting on social media, and use the hotline for referrals to reliable legal and support services.

“Our community is our strength,” Soto-Martinez stated. “If you encounter ICE in L.A., please call the Rapid Response Network at 888-624-4752, so we can verify, report, and take protective action for those in jeopardy.”

Pedro Trujillo, organizing director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, a key player in LARRN, conveyed expectations of intensified ICE operations in L.A. in the days ahead.

The coalition is dedicated to empowering communities through initiatives like “Know Your Rights” campaigns and providing information on available resources.

LARRN has advised residents to confirm the validity of ICE enforcement reports before disseminating on social media to avoid unnecessary panic and misunderstanding.

According to the group, misinformation, such as AI-generated visuals and outdated news, can incite anxiety and misallocate essential resources during actual emergencies.

Members of LARRN include the Alliance for a Better Community, Central American Resource Center, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, Nikkei Progressives, NLG-LA Immigration, Committee Proyecto Pastoral, St. John’s Community Health, Strength Based Community Change, and SEIU Local 721.

In a January interview with City News Service (CNS), Trujillo noted that the network convenes primarily during crises or periods of increased ICE threats.

He affirmed that there are no legal risks in their efforts, as they are committed to acting within the law.

“We provide information about rights that are protected under the Constitution, which apply to everyone, regardless of their immigration status,” Trujillo explained to CNS.

He pointed out the rights individuals possess, such as the right to remain silent and protections against illegal or unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.

“What makes this work remarkable is that anyone can step up as a first responder, whether they are U.S. citizens or individuals eager to support their community,” Trujillo remarked to CNS. “I believe there are countless individuals willing to help across the nation. This approach is the model we’ve established.”