One critical role community organizations and grassroots groups have taken on during heightened immigration enforcement activity in Los Angeles is the reporting, sharing and verification of ICE sightings.
On-the-ground teams, supported by a network of volunteers across Southern California, are using social media, hotlines and other tools to spread verified information as quickly and responsibly as possible – and in some cases, observe and document ICE activity firsthand.
Below is a list of organizations supporting Eastside communities and others throughout the region.
Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network
Formed following Donald Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network is a coalition of school leaders, lawyers, faith groups and community groups dedicated to educating, mobilizing and protecting immigrants. The group focuses on Boyle Heights and East L.A., and works with the L.A. Rapid Response Network to verify ICE activity and share credible information on Instagram.
To report ICE activity in the Eastside area, call (323) 805-1049.
To learn more, you can visit the group’s Instagram page.
Southern California Rapid Response Network
While the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network is the go-to for local sightings, the Southern California Rapid Response Network also serves communities throughout the SoCal region. Here’s a full list of local response network hotlines:
- Central Valley: (559) 206-0151
- Kern County: (661) 432-2230
- Los Angeles: (888) 624-4752
- 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 – Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo: 805-870-8855
Unión del Barrio, a pro-immigrant political organization, began its community patrols program in San Diego in 1992, drawing inspiration from the Black Panther Party. Volunteers are trained to identify ICE vehicles– often unmarked– and alert residents online and in person, sometimes using megaphones to warn entire neighborhoods.
Alleged sights of immigration enforcement agents, support and more information is available on the group’s Instagram page, as well as its website.
To report suspected activity to Unión Del Barrio, you can contact community patrols at:
- Los Angeles Line: (213) 444-6562
- North County San Diego / Escondido Line: (760) 913-0306
- Oxnard/Ventura Line: (805) 296-1119
- San Diego Line: (619) 916-7215
Community Self-Defense Coalition
Publicly launched in February, the Community Self-Defense Coalition is a network of more than 60 identity-based organizations across Southern California, including Unión Del Barrio, that have banded together in an effort to protect immigrants from being swept up in raids. The coalition shares sightings across their network, amplifying alerts on social media.
More information is available on its Instagram page.
People Over Papers is an interactive, crowd-sourced site that maps anonymous reports of ICE activity across the U.S. Users can view recent sightings, ranging from suspected raids to reports of federal immigration vehicles, and cross-reference with other networks.
To submit a report, users must provide the time and location of the sighting, as well as any additional information available.
Visit People Over Papers to explore the map or contribute information.
Our approach to immigration coverage
At Boyle Heights Beat, we believe local journalism is a public service rooted in care, truth and accountability. In moments like these—when immigration enforcement brings fear, uncertainty and urgency—our mission is to inform, uplift and protect our community through accurate reporting, ethical storytelling and deep listening.
We know we can’t cover everything, but we remain committed to ongoing immigration coverage that reflects the needs and values of our community. We’ll be working closely with community organizations and residents on the ground to help verify information, respond to unfolding events, and ensure our reporting is responsible and informed by those most impacted.
Read more about those efforts here.
If you have a tip or a story that needs to be told, email editor@boyleheightsbeat.org or reach us on Instagram. To support our reporting, donate here.