Local Foundation Launches Fund Drive to Aid Families After Immigration Raids

Local foundations and community groups in Los Angeles County have launched urgent fund drives after a sharp rise in immigration raids since May 2025. These efforts aim to help families and small businesses hit hard by the raids, which have caused fear, economic loss, and deep disruption across immigrant neighborhoods.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted on July 16, 2025, to create a new cash fund for families affected by ongoing ICE raids. This fund, supported by donations from local organizations and individuals, will soon provide direct financial help to workers and families in small cities and unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The county also plans to expand support for small businesses that have lost workers or customers due to the climate of fear caused by these immigration raids.

The California Community Foundation (CCF) set up a special fund on June 18, 2025, to support nonprofit groups helping families and businesses suffering from the humanitarian crisis. This fund focuses on stabilizing communities, giving emergency cash, and addressing food insecurity and mental health needs. On August 1, 2025, the Archbishop of Los Angeles, together with business leaders, announced another fund to help families affected by ICE raids, showing how many groups are working together to provide relief.

The human cost of these raids is severe. On July 13, 2025, the Cesar Chavez Foundation and United Farm Workers (UFW) reported that several farm workers were critically injured and at least one died during recent raids in Ventura County. This tragedy has pushed more groups to raise money and speak out against the raids.

The Trump administration, led by Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, has ordered ICE to arrest up to 3,000 immigrants each day. This is more than four times the previous daily average. The Senate passed a budget bill on July 1, 2025, giving ICE more money for enforcement, detention, and surveillance. Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote for this bill. As a result, immigrant neighborhoods have seen a sharp drop in public activity. Schools, businesses, and community spaces report fewer people showing up, which means less income and more hardship for everyone.

Supervisor Hilda Solis of Los Angeles County said, “We are sending a clear message: Los Angeles County stands with our immigrant communities, and we will continue to fight to ensure that every resident, regardless of immigration status, has the dignity and support they need to survive and thrive.” Miguel A. Santana, President and CEO of the California Community Foundation, added, “This is not about the politics of the recent events, but their effect on people who have lost a loved one, their source of income, and are terrified.”

Victor Dominguez from the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles noted a big increase in requests for food and mental health support. The YMCA now delivers groceries, diapers, and other essentials to families who are too afraid to leave their homes because of the raids. Rudy Espinoza of Inclusive Action for the City said his group is giving cash help to families of street vendors and small businesses whose incomes have been disrupted.

The Cesar Chavez Foundation and UFW have called for an immediate stop to the raids, pointing to deaths and injuries among farm workers and the ongoing fear in immigrant communities. These groups stress the urgent need for both relief and policy change.

Relief funds are being distributed in several ways:

• Cash Assistance: Families receive cash cards, usually worth a few hundred dollars, or direct grants through nonprofit organizations. This money helps pay for groceries, rent, and other urgent needs.
• Food and Essentials: Groups like the YMCA deliver food, diapers, and hygiene products directly to homes, especially for those too scared to go out.
• Legal and Wage Recovery Support: Los Angeles County is looking at starting a hotline for deported workers to claim unpaid wages and a program to protect belongings left behind during raids.
• Small Business Relief: There are plans to expand financial help for small businesses that have lost workers or customers because of the raids.

The aggressive ICE enforcement has created a climate of fear. Many immigrants now avoid school, medical care, and even the police, which hurts public health, education, and local economies. The use of local police, the National Guard, and even the military in these immigration raids has raised legal concerns and blurred the lines between federal and local powers. The Senate’s recent budget bill is expected to let ICE detain and deport even more people, with civil rights groups warning that this could tear families apart and damage whole communities.

Local governments and charities say their main goal is to give immediate help and keep communities stable, no matter a person’s immigration status. Advocacy groups, on the other hand, focus on the human rights and legal problems caused by mass raids. They call for an end to these raids and for real immigration reform. Business and community leaders point out the economic harm to small businesses and the wider community, asking for more resources to help people recover.

The current wave of immigration raids is the most aggressive since the early 2010s. President Trump’s second term has brought a sharp rise in daily arrests, more involvement from the military, and new laws that give ICE more power. Community-based relief funds have been used in past crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, but the speed and size of the current response are new because of how many people are affected by the raids.

Looking ahead, the Los Angeles County fund should be up and running by mid-August 2025, with more fundraising and support expected. If the Senate’s budget bill is fully put into action, ICE will likely get even more power and resources, making local relief efforts even more important. Civil rights groups are fighting these new federal rules and enforcement practices in court, hoping to protect families and communities from further harm.

For those affected by the immigration raids, several organizations offer help:

• California Community Foundation: Offers emergency cash and support for families and small businesses. Visit www.calfund.org for more information.
• YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: Delivers food and essentials to families in need. Learn more at www.ymcala.org.
• L.A. County Board of Supervisors: Oversees the new county fund and other relief programs. Details are available at bos.lacounty.gov.
• Cesar Chavez Foundation: Advocates for farm workers and immigrant families. Visit www.chavezfoundation.org.
• American Immigration Council: Provides information on immigration raids and legal rights. See www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org for resources.

Anyone needing help or wanting to support these fund drives should visit the official websites or contact the organizations through their hotlines and outreach programs.

The impact of these immigration raids in Los Angeles County is clear. Families are separated, children miss school, and small businesses struggle to survive. The fear caused by the raids keeps people at home, hurting the local economy and making it harder for everyone to live normal lives. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combined efforts of local foundations, charities, and government agencies are making a real difference, but the need for support keeps growing as the raids continue.

If you or someone you know has been affected by immigration raids, here are some practical steps you can take:

• Reach out for help: Contact the organizations listed above for emergency cash, food, and legal support.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from local news and official websites to learn about new relief programs and your rights.
• Support fund drives: If you are able, donate to local relief funds or volunteer with community groups helping those in need.
• Know your rights: The American Immigration Council provides clear information about what to do if ICE comes to your home or workplace. Visit their official page on immigration raids for guidance.

The situation in Los Angeles County shows how quickly immigration policies can change lives. While fund drives and relief efforts offer hope, many families still face uncertainty and fear. Community support, clear information, and ongoing advocacy remain essential as the region responds to the challenges of increased immigration raids.