LA Activists Install Sirens to Warn of ICE Operations

Grassroots group sets up unauthorized alert system to notify undocumented immigrants of immigration enforcement actions.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A group of liberal activists in Los Angeles called the Highland Park Community Support Group has begun installing unauthorized sirens in the city to alert undocumented immigrants about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The group's founder, Amanda Alcalde, says the goal is to provide a warning system so that people can take shelter when ICE operations are underway. The effort is not sanctioned by the city, so the group is seeking private property owners and businesses to host the sirens.

Why it matters

The activists' actions highlight the growing tensions between local communities and federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. The group claims ICE operations have led to a reduced presence of ethnic minorities in the city, and they see the siren system as a way to protect vulnerable populations. However, the legality and efficacy of such an unauthorized alert system are unclear.

The details

The Highland Park Community Support Group was founded by Amanda Alcalde to warn undocumented immigrants about ICE operations in Los Angeles. The group is modeled after similar efforts in Minneapolis and plans to install sirens on private properties across the city to provide alerts. Activist David Trujillo says the group does not directly engage with ICE but aims to "protect the community to stay in their office or home." Alcalde claims she has seen "a lot of fear in people's eyes" and a reduced presence of ethnic minorities in the city due to ICE actions.

  • The Highland Park Community Support Group was founded in early 2026.

The players

Amanda Alcalde

The founder of the Highland Park Community Support Group, which is organizing the installation of unauthorized sirens to alert undocumented immigrants about ICE operations in Los Angeles.

David Trujillo

An activist with the Highland Park Community Support Group who says the group aims to "protect the community to stay in their office or home" during ICE operations.

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What they’re saying

“We'd like to ultimately have this along all the different streets so they can take shelter.”

— Amanda Alcalde, Founder, Highland Park Community Support Group (KTLA-TV)

“We don't directly get ourselves involved with ICE, but we will get involved protecting the community to stay in their office or home.”

— David Trujillo, Activist, Highland Park Community Support Group (KTLA-TV)

“I've seen a lot of fear in people's eyes. I don't see a lot of our ethnic minorities out in the day-to-day. It's big change. It feels dystopian in a way.”

— Amanda Alcalde, Founder, Highland Park Community Support Group (KTLA-TV)

What’s next

The group will need to find private property owners and businesses willing to host the unauthorized siren system, as the effort is not sanctioned by the city of Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The Highland Park Community Support Group's plan to install sirens to warn undocumented immigrants about ICE operations highlights the growing tensions between local communities and federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. While the activists aim to protect vulnerable populations, the legality and efficacy of such an unauthorized alert system remain unclear.