FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudine Battisti

UPDATED: UNITE-LA CONDEMNS ICE RAIDS AND URGES FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

LOS ANGELES, CA – Earlier this week, UNITE-LA denounced the use of ICE raids, which threaten the safety, dignity and stability of immigrant communities who are vital to Los Angeles and to the strength of our region’s economy. These actions undermine public trust, disrupt learning environments for our students, tear families apart, and jeopardize the well-being of our diverse and inclusive rising and incumbent workforce.

"As an organization committed to advancing equitable economic mobility and well-being, we believe all individuals—regardless of immigration status—deserve access to opportunity, education and a pathway to thrive. The fear created by such enforcement tactics stands in direct opposition to the systems, policies and partnerships we work to strengthen every day," Alysia Bell, President of UNITE-LA, stated. "We applaud the efforts of elected leaders supporting immigrant communities, and we call on federal authorities to uphold policies that protect the rights of immigrant communities and invest in inclusive solutions that build a stronger, more just Los Angeles for all."

As L.A. County’s regional coordinating organization for the statewide Cash for College campaign, led by the California Student Aid Commission, UNITE-LA partners with K-12 schools, colleges and community organizations to expand access to higher education for all California students—particularly those from immigrant and mixed-status families. Since 2002, we have supported more than 323,000 Angeleno students with college access. In LAUSD alone, 1 in 4 of the nearly 30,000 immigrant students are undocumented, and across the state, 1 in 5 students comes from a mixed-status family. Protecting the rights and futures of immigrant, mixed-status and first-generation students is not only a matter of equity—it is essential to sustaining California’s innovation and economic competitiveness.

We applaud the efforts of elected leaders supporting immigrant communities, and we call on federal authorities to uphold policies that protect the rights of immigrant communities and invest in inclusive solutions that build a stronger, more just Los Angeles for all. Our policy team is actively advancing a forward-looking legislative agenda reflected in our 2025 state and federal policy goals, to protect immigrant communities and promote economic opportunities for all. Our priorities include supporting state and federal legislation to limit immigration enforcement at schools, early education centers, places of worship, health care facilities and community service locations and safeguarding critical investments that do not balance the budget on the backs of any single community.

Additionally, UNITE-LA engages business leaders to promote inclusive economic growth and support the development of a skilled, diverse workforce. We recently surveyed business organizations and employers across the state to better understand their perspective on the contributions of immigrants to our economy. The results were clear: business leaders overwhelmingly recognize immigrant talent as vital to filling labor gaps, driving innovation and supporting a thriving regional economy. A vast majority (94 percent) of California business leaders agree that creating a welcoming environment for immigrants benefits the local economy. Immigrants help fill critical labor gaps—especially in health care, hospitality, agriculture and construction. More than half of employers say hiring immigrants expands their talent pool and brings in unique skills.

These findings have been shared with state leaders and UNITE-LA has joined cross-sector partners and the CA For Prosperity & Affordability Coalition to elevate the importance of protecting investments in legal services and other essential services like health care access. From agriculture to construction and caregiving, immigrants are the backbone of the state’s workforce. Cutting support to these communities risks destabilizing the very sectors that keep California running.

For our employer partners: we encourage you to share this Know Your Rights resource folder with your employees and teams. It includes up-to-date materials to help ensure workers understand their rights during immigration enforcement actions.

Finally, UNITE-LA encourages affected individuals and families to access and utilize trusted resources and support services across Los Angeles. Below are just a few of the many available:

• Los Angeles Unified School District’s “We Are One” resources that include the Immigration Resource Guide for Families;
• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights’ “Know Your Rights;"
• Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Immigrant Relations & Services and LACOE Supporting Immigrant Students & Families Toolkit;
• Immigrants Are LA Resource Hub;
• CARECEN-LA, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Public Counsel and Bet Tzedek, which continue to provide free and low-cost immigration legal assistance; and
• National Immigration Law Center.

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About UNITE-LA
For 27 years, UNITE-LA has championed equitable, economic mobility via cradle-though-career education and workforce development efforts that strengthen systems, policies and high-quality education and career pathways. UNITE-LA serves as an intermediary, collaborating with key stakeholders—including educators, employers, policymakers and community leaders—to ensure all individuals, especially those facing systemic barriers, have opportunities to thrive. Co-founded by the City of Los Angeles, LA Unified School District, and LA Community College District, UNITE-LA is grounded in the region with state and national partnerships extending its impact throughout California and the U.S. Learn more at www.unitela.com.