Dear Friends, 

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We are reaching out during a moment of profound urgency for our immigrant communities across Los Angeles. The avalanche of ICE raids and enforcement actions throughout the city in recent days is devastating. These actions are sowing fear, destabilizing families, and gravely harming too many children and loved ones. Immigrants in Los Angeles do not deserve this cruelty. They deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, and humanity. 

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Esperanza remains unwavering in our mission to support the most vulnerable in our community. We will continue to defend our clients’ rights and provide empowering legal services during these critical times. 

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What are we doing? Our dedicated team of legal experts is providing legal orientations and consultations to community members both in person and virtually. We have staff on hand to receive calls from individuals who have been arrested and detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and Desert View Annex. We are collaborating with our partners in the LA Rapid Response Network to provide legal services to those arrested by ICE, and we are continuing our vital Know Your Rights presentations to educate and empower the community—with a special focus on reaching especially vulnerable populations, including people who are unsheltered. As enforcement intensifies, the work of trusted organizations like ours becomes even more vital. 

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What can you do today? We have already received many calls from people asking what that can do to help. We appreciate this! Esperanza has recently lost critical federal funding for our programs—program that supported vulnerable immigrants understand their rights in immigration court and explore their legal options. Please consider making a donation today. For those facing the threat of detention and deportation, this knowledge can mean the difference between safety in this country and separation from their loved ones. Without access to accurate legal information and services, far too many in our community risk being swept away by ICE without any understanding of their rights or options.  

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Despite these devastating cuts, we are not backing down. This is not the time for legal services to disappear. You can help by contributing to Esperanza’s emergency funding. Every contribution—from individuals, businesses, and philanthropic allies—will help ensure immigrant families are not abandoned in this moment of crisis. If you are able to give—or know someone who can—please consider making a donation today.  

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At Esperanza we remain fiercely committed to providing legal services and supporting those who need it most. Together, we can protect due process, defend families, and stand up for the dignity and justice that every person deserves. 

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In Solidarity,  

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Kimberley Plotnik 

Program Director

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