Downey offers ICE raid information for residents, businesses

Senior Pastor Tanya Lopez of Downey Memorial Christian Church talks about the raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Information about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns is available online Wednesday thanks to the efforts of officials in Downey.

The page -- accessible at downeyca.org/yourrights -- offers "comprehensive information about recent federal enforcement activity, what the city can and cannot do and links to various resources," according to a news release.

"In response to the federal government's announced increase in ICE operations in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, the ... mayor and council members would like to inform residents about available resources and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members," the statement reads.

Mayor Hector Sosa stated that city leaders "understand that many of our residents are feeling anxious, fearful and even heartbroken by these recent developments."

"Please know that your concerns are being heard, and your feelings are valid," he said. ``As your council members, we share in your empathy for all of our community members, especially those who are most vulnerable during these challenging times."

Officials want residents to be aware of their rights, they said, and in addition to the web page, suggested more could be gleaned by visiting the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs website at oia.lacounty.gov/.

There is also an ICE detainee locator at locator.ice.gov.

The city is also looking into offering webinars and workshops to affected businesses, and in the meantime directed them to the National Immigration Law Center's guide, ``What Employers Can Do if Immigration Comes to a Workplace," available at nilc.org.

Officials also emphasized that the Downey Police Department is not involved in immigration enforcement operations led by ICE.