Volunteers Step Up to Protect Immigrant Communities in Los Angeles

A diverse group of Angelenos is monitoring and documenting immigration raids to support families impacted by federal enforcement.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:56am

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A cinematic painting depicting a group of people of various ages and backgrounds gathered on a street corner, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative, nostalgic mood.A diverse group of volunteers in Los Angeles unite to monitor and document immigration raids, demonstrating the power of community solidarity in the face of federal enforcement.Los Angeles Today

In the face of escalating federal immigration enforcement, a diverse group of volunteers in Los Angeles is stepping up to monitor and document immigration raids in their neighborhoods. Led by organizations like Unión del Barrio, this movement is a powerful display of solidarity and resistance, with people from all walks of life coming together to protect their communities.

Why it matters

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies, the need for community-based support and advocacy for immigrant rights is growing. The surge in volunteers from diverse backgrounds in Los Angeles demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing and the shared commitment to justice.

The details

Unión del Barrio, the leading organizer of the volunteer patrols, has seen a surge in volunteers from various backgrounds, including senior citizens, students, and longtime activists. While Latino organizers have traditionally led the patrols, the group's numbers are growing thanks to new volunteers who aren't necessarily Latino. The group supports families impacted by immigration raids and issues real-time alerts over social media.

  • In late January, the day after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, about 400 people showed up for a training session.
  • The following day, 1,000 people participated in a Zoom training for educators.

The players

Unión del Barrio

A community organization leading the volunteer patrols and crisis response efforts in Los Angeles.

Ron Gochez

An organizer with Unión del Barrio who has witnessed the surge in volunteers from diverse backgrounds.

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

An immigrant advocacy group also experiencing a spike in volunteers, donations, and attendance at workshops.

Immigrant Defenders Law Center

Another immigrant advocacy group seeing increased support and engagement from the community.

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What they’re saying

“We have senior citizen retirees showing up, asking how they can help, and students from community colleges and universities. We have people who look like longtime activists and those who've never done this before. It's a beautiful display of solidarity from Angelenos of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages.”

— Ron Gochez, Organizer, Unión del Barrio

“We're not trying to become martyrs. We don't want to be arrested, beaten, or killed. But there is risk involved.”

— Ron Gochez, Organizer, Unión del Barrio

What’s next

Unión del Barrio plans to continue expanding its volunteer patrols and crisis response efforts to more neighborhoods in Los Angeles, as the need for community-based support and advocacy for immigrant rights continues to grow.

The takeaway

The surge of volunteers from diverse backgrounds in Los Angeles, coming together to protect immigrant communities, is a powerful example of grassroots organizing and the shared commitment to justice. As federal immigration enforcement intensifies, this movement demonstrates the importance of community-based support and the potential for collective action to make a difference.