Mayor

_{Know Your Rights}

Every family deserves to feel safe, informed, and supported, no matter where they’re from. The following provides clear, trusted information to help immigrant families stay informed and prepared.

_{Actions to Defend Long Beach’s Diverse Immigrant Communities}

Expanding Protections Under the Long Beach Values Act

In anticipation of a second Trump presidency, and the new administration’s indication of its intent to enact federal policies targeting the rights of immigrant communities, the Long Beach City Council voted on January 7, 2025 to strengthen the City’s Long Beach Values Act policy. This motion included direction to request that each separate appointing authority within the City, such as the Port of Long Beach and Long Beach Transit, formally commit to the Long Beach Values Act, add the City’s Data Privacy Guidelines into standard contractual language with external city vendors and contractors, expand funding for immigrant legal defense support through the Long Beach Justice Fund, and develop informational materials and resources to educate community members on their rights and protections.  

Following the series of large-scale immigration raids across Southern California this summer conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeting areas with large immigrant populations including Los Angeles and Long Beach, the Mayor and the Long Beach City Council prepared and approved additional policy actions on August 12th to expand resources and protections under the Long Beach Values Act even further, including the following city actions: 

Limiting Law Enforcement Access to City-Owned Facilities and Property

Restricting access within City-owned property by designating areas as “Non-Public Secure Locations” consistent with the “ICE-free zones” policy approach that was introduced in Chicago several months later in October 2025 after Long Beach.

The city has since implemented clear warrant review procedures across all non-public areas within city-owned buildings and properties intended for employee use and business operations to affirm the existence of a legitimate law enforcement warrant, and limit entry to all non-public areas when no warrant is produced; introduced visible signage on doors and entryways clearly demarcating all non-public areas where entry by law enforcement agents is restricted and requires the production of a warrant or judicial order; and trained city staff, including frontline staff in lobbies and reception areas, and put worksite-specific reporting and response protocols in place so that every city worksite can verify the existence of a valid warrant or judicial order.

Commitment to Accountability

Strengthening accountability mechanisms to ensure full staff compliance with the Long Beach Values Act, and developing a formal and centralized resident complaint portal as a new public accountability mechanism where residents can submit an official complaint with evidence if a city employee has violated the Values Act to initiate the appropriate investigations and disciplinary measures (portal development currently in progress).

Ensuring Compliance Among External City Vendors and Contractors

Ensuring compliance with the Long Beach Values Act by external City contractors, and advising them that the City reserves the right to not do business with vendors whose documented business practices are deemed by the City to violate or be in substantial conflict with the Long Beach Values Act.

Affirmative Legal Action in Defense of Long Beach Residents

Engaging in legal advocacy to mitigate disruptions and public harm caused by external agency law enforcement activities:

• The City has joined lawsuits to seek injunctive relief against the targeted immigration raids impacting our city and region.
• The City is also working closely with our immigrant legal providers and community advocacy organizations to document the impacts of immigration enforcement actions on residents, which can help inform and justify the city’s engagement in other lawsuits and legal advocacy strategies.

Know-Your-Rights Trainings for Local Businesses and Workers

Expanding “Know-Your-Rights” training and informational materials led by experienced community-based organizations to help educate local businesses, including street vendors, on what to do if law enforcement activities take place at or near their business operations, and how to verify the existence of a legitimate court order or judicial warrant.

ORALE and Centro Cha, two local community providers, are contracted with the city to provide these ongoing trainings to local businesses, especially those being targeted by enforcement actions like local car washes and restaurants.

Direct Relief for Long Beach Immigrant Families

Funding support and direct financial assistance for immigrant communities:

• In July 2025, Mayor Richardson launched the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund, which has begun distributing critical financial assistance resources to local Long Beach families impacted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions, including rental assistance, food distribution, income replacement, and support for rapid response efforts.
• As a part of his Fiscal Year 2025 annual budget recommendations for the City of Long Beach, Mayor Richardson developed the “Defending Our Long Beach Values Plan,” which represents more than $5,000,000 being made available to the Long Beach immigrant community to prevent economic catastrophe, and includes $2.5 million dedicated to direct financial and legal support through the Long Beach Justice Fund and rapid response efforts.
• These budget recommendations (which were approved by the Long Beach City Council in September) include:
  • $1.85 million for the Long Beach Justice Fund to ensure our residents have access to legal representation, uphold due process protections, and preserve family unity
  • $500,000 to fund Emergency Relief for Long Beach immigrant residents and families including rental assistance, basic needs support, and mental health supports
  • $150,000 to promote “know-your-rights” trainings and informational materials for local businesses, workers, and street vendors (this supports the community led trainings previously mentioned)
  • Immigrant residents are also included as a priority population within a larger eviction protection fund of $2.5 million for all vulnerable communities impacted by federal actions (bringing the total amount of available support to $5 million - this new additional support of course is on top of all other existing city programs and services that immigrant communities are already eligible to receive or participate in).
  • These investments were developed based on important feedback the Mayor received from some of the city’s leading immigrant and civil rights organizations on additional measures Long Beach could take to enhance resources and protections for our immigrant communities.
• These investments were developed based on important feedback the Mayor received from some of the city’s leading immigrant and civil rights organizations on additional measures Long Beach could take to enhance resources and protections for our immigrant communities.

In addition to these efforts, the City of Long Beach continues to explore innovative local policy solutions to defend our local immigrant communities in partnership with other impacted cities like Los Angeles, and monitor best practices being developed in other jurisdictions across the country that could be replicated locally.

While there is no playbook for how cities and local communities should navigate through these escalated and unprecedented challenges, the trust and partnerships formed between local government, residents, and community advocates remains critical to ensuring that we can work through these uncertain times and uphold the needs and dignity of our most impacted immigrant communities.

If you or someone you know needs to connect with the Rapid Response line please call: 213-444-6562.