Los Angeles Rapid Response Network Launches Immigration Hotline to Counter ICE Actions
In response to intensified immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, a coalition of immigrant rights organizations, labor unions, and faith-based groups has launched the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network (LARRN) to document ICE activities and support immigrant communities.
The network's primary tool is a hotline designed to field reports of ICE enforcement, verify operations, and connect individuals with legal resources. The hotline aims to provide real-time support to those facing deportation or detention.
A Community Response to Immigration Enforcement
Pedro Trujillo, Organizing Director at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), emphasized the importance of community solidarity:
“We are coming together through the LARRN to ensure Angelenos know there are resources available to them to report ICE operations, get referrals, and access vital services.”
SEIU Local 721, a union representing 95,000 workers in Southern California, is also backing the initiative. Martin Manteca, the union’s organizing director, stated that protecting immigrant workers is essential for maintaining a strong local economy:
“We intend to protect the rights of our brothers and sisters who work hard to make their dreams come true and keep our economy strong.”
Attorneys from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center are also collaborating with LARRN to provide legal assistance to those affected by immigration enforcement.
The Urgent Need for Rapid Response
The importance of LARRN’s hotline became clear following the arrest of Jose Rojas Duran, a 58-year-old immigrant detained by ICE on January 26 in Lincoln Park, Los Angeles.
Rojas had previously been detained in 2020 and released in 2021, only to receive a deportation order in early 2024. His family immediately called the hotline upon his arrest, prompting network lawyers to contact ICE within 90 minutes. However, because Rojas had previously signed a voluntary deportation order, he was removed to Mexico within hours of his arrest.
Tragically, just one day after his deportation, his son received a notice from the Department of Homeland Security stating that his visa application was approved for consideration—a process that could have allowed him to stay in the U.S.
Understanding Immigration Enforcement Laws
The legal foundation for these arrests is based on 8 U.S.C. § 1325, which defines unauthorized entry into the U.S. as a misdemeanor offense. The law, which originated in 1929, has been criticized for its historical ties to racist and eugenicist immigration policies.
During the first Trump administration, 27,630 individuals were prosecuted under Section 1325 in 2020 alone. Under the Biden administration, that number dropped to 5,550 in 2024. However, immigration enforcement remains a highly politicized issue.
On January 28, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s stance on deportations:
“If you are an individual, a foreign national who illegally enters the United States, you are, by definition, a criminal and, therefore, subject to deportation.”
This statement followed the nationwide ICE arrests of 1,179 people on January 26, with only 52% of those detained facing actual criminal charges.
How Immigrants Can Protect Themselves
With immigration enforcement increasing, it is crucial for immigrant communities to be prepared. Here are some key steps to take if you or a loved one encounters ICE:
1. Know Your Rights
You have the right to remain silent—do not answer questions about your immigration status.
Do not open the door for ICE unless they have a valid warrant signed by a judge.
You have the right to speak with an attorney before signing anything.
2. Call the LARRN Hotline
If ICE is conducting enforcement activity in your area, call the Immigrant Assistance Hotline at (888) 624-4752.
This will trigger a response from local organizations that can verify ICE actions and provide legal support.
3. Have a Safety Plan
If you or a family member is at risk, create an emergency plan, including who to call, where to go, and how to access legal help.
Keep copies of important documents (passports, IDs, immigration records) in a secure place.
4. Seek Legal Help Immediately
If detained, do not sign any voluntary deportation papers without consulting a lawyer.
Organizations like CHIRLA and the Immigrant Defenders Law Center offer legal aid to those facing deportation.
The Fight for Immigrant Rights Continues
The Los Angeles Rapid Response Network is a critical community-led effort to counter aggressive immigration enforcement and protect vulnerable families. While federal immigration policies remain contentious, local organizations continue to fight for fair treatment and due process for all immigrants.
For those in need of assistance or wishing to report ICE enforcement activity, call the Immigrant Assistance Hotline at (888) 624-4752.
Together, communities can stand strong against policies that target working immigrant families and advocate for a more just immigration system.
