Congresswoman Rivas details ICE raids, urges local residents to use federal office for help

Congresswoman Luz Rivas told the San Fernando City Council on Monday that aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions have caused fear and disruption in the San Fernando Valley and that her office is working to document and respond to abuses. Rivas said she and House Democrats are seeking oversight, sponsoring bills to limit enforcement at sensitive locations, and providing local "know your rights" workshops and casework assistance for detained constituents.

Rivas, who identified herself as the congresswoman representing the district that includes San Fernando, said advocacy groups documented hundreds of enforcement actions in Los Angeles County this summer and that media reports indicate many people arrested did not have prior criminal convictions. "I'm deeply opposed to these ICE raids that are tearing apart our communities and forcing families to live in fear," she said.

Why this matters: Council members and residents said they want local officials to be able to point people toward practical resources when enforcement operations occur and to coordinate with federal representatives seeking answers. Rivas emphasized that her office can make inquiries to detention centers and help families locate detained relatives, but said her staff must have written permission from family members before intervening on behalf of a constituent.

Rivas described oversight steps she and colleagues have taken, including attempting unannounced visits to detention facilities and sending letters demanding accountability for alleged procedural and constitutional violations. "Members of Congress are authorized to show up to any detention center that's holding immigrants. We don't need an appointment," she said, and reported being denied access at some facilities while being allowed at others where she said she saw due-process problems.

She listed federal policy actions she and other Democrats oppose and said she has introduced legislation to: prohibit ICE at schools, hospitals and places of worship; require agents to identify themselves; prohibit impersonation of local police; and block efforts to end birthright citizenship. Rivas said her office has hosted telephone town halls and in-person "know your rights" workshops with local nonprofits and that materials in English and Spanish are available at rivas.house.gov.

Local officials asked about practical steps the city could take. Council members were advised to continue public communications that the city supports immigrants and to refer individual cases to Rivas’s office for federal inquiries. Rivas said her office has helped families locate detained loved ones and can submit inquiries to detention centers, but again stressed staff need explicit permission from the family to act on a constituent’s behalf.

She acknowledged outstanding questions, including whether private contractors or so-called "bounty hunters" have been used during enforcement operations. "ICE doesn't release that information when you ask them," Rivas said. "We don't know if they are or they're not. I don't want to spread misinformation, and I'm working to get that information."

Rivas concluded by encouraging residents to call her office for assistance and to attend local workshops led by nonprofit partners. "If you see any wrongdoing or you witness anything, please contact my office. We track this and make inquiries," she said.

Local reaction and next steps: Council members thanked Rivas for coming and said they would continue coordinating public education about rights and available services. The congresswoman said she had just requested an in-person meeting with the acting director of ICE and CBP and that she and other members will continue oversight efforts.

For resources, Rivas said constituents may contact her office’s casework team for confidential assistance; she named a caseworker present in the chamber who helps with intake and inquiries.