The City of Commerce Expands Support for Residents Impacted by Immigration Enforcement Through SHIELD Program

 

Commerce, CA – The City of Commerce has moved purposefully to assist residents impacted by federal immigration enforcement, launching and sustaining an organized set of legal, housing, food, and education resources to help families remain supported.

 

“As a City, we didn’t wait to react, and instead we acted,” said Mayor Lainez. “We remain committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of our residents through unprecedented times.”

 

To date, the City has invested $50,000 in direct resident assistance, allocating $25,000 to legal consultations through the Support for Households in Immigration Emergencies and Legal Defense (SHIELD) program and $25,000 to short-term rental assistance for residents financially impacted by ICE activity.

 

Since last year, the City has delivered multiple legal workshops with immigration attorneys and public safety experts, provided monthly emergency food distributions, distributed free Know Your Rights Red Cards citywide, offered ongoing citizenship support through our Commerce Public Library’s Literacy Center, and organized a donation drive through by our Teen Center.

 

At the Jan. 27 City Council meeting, the Commerce City Council unanimously approved a $25,000 legal aid fund toward SHIELD, expanding the City’s ongoing efforts to support residents impacted by federal immigration enforcement actions. SHIELD will provide residents with access to their initial legal consultation with qualified immigration attorney at no cost. All information shared will remain confidential and will not be shared with the City.

 

The SHIELD program was developed at the recommendation of City Manager Ernie Hernandez, who prioritized the allocation of City resources to ensure families impacted receive timely legal support.

 

The City is dedicated to helping residents better understand their rights, available resources and next steps during immigration emergencies. This continued investment reflects the City’s values of prioritizing resident welfare, equity and access to critical services. For more information about the SHIELD program and available resources, visit: www.commerceca.gov/immigrationresources

 

For media inquiries, please contact Media Specialist Katherine Tong at ktong@commerceca.gov.

Know Your Rights with Attorney Ivan Vargas Workshop #2 | Tuesday, January 27, 2026

 

Join us for a free workshop this Saturday, led by Ivan Vargas Esq., to learn more about your current laws and understand your rights and protections related to immigration. We will cover the following topics: legal rights, how to respond to ICE at home or in public, understanding warrants, family emergency plans, how to prepare for your case or bond, and additional immigration information. Available in English & Spanish.

 

Date & Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 @ 10 AM

Location: Commerce Senior Center, 2555 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040

 

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Conozca sus derechos con el abogado Iván Vargas Taller n.º 2 | Martes, 27 de enero de 2026

 

Únase a nosotros este sábado en un taller gratuito, impartido por el abogado Iván Vargas, para obtener más información sobre la legislación vigente y comprender sus derechos y protecciones en materia de inmigración. Trataremos los siguientes temas: derechos legales, cómo responder al ICE en casa o en público, comprender las órdenes judiciales, planes de emergencia familiar, cómo prepararse para su caso o fianza, e información adicional sobre inmigración. Disponible en inglés y español.

 

Fecha y hora: sábado, 31 de enero de 2026, a las 10:00 a. m.

Lugar: Commerce Senior Center, 2555 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040

Know Your Rights with Attorney Ivan Vargas, Esq. | Monday, July 21, 2025

Watch video: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcommerceca/videos/3998497863726219

Click here for resources from Attorney Vargas: Know Your Rights - Resources

 

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Ver el vídeo: https://www.facebook.com/cityofcommerceca/videos/3998497863726219

Haga clic aquí para ver los recursos del abogado Vargas: Know Your Rights - Resources

Immigration Workshop: Know Your Rights with an Attorney | Monday, July 14, 2025

Join us for a free workshop this Saturday, led by Ivan Vargas Esq., to learn more about your current laws and understand your rights and protections related to immigration.

Date & Time: Saturday, July 19, 2025 @ 10:30 AM
Location: Commerce Senior Center, 2555 Commerce Way, Commerce, CA 90040

Topic will include:
- Responding to ICE at home or in public
- Understanding warrants
- Creating a family emergency plan
- Planning for bond
- Your legal rights & more

Attend in-person or watch live on Facebook. Available in English and Spanish. Free snacks & refreshments provided.

Participation will NOT be recorded, and attendance will NOT be tracked. Your safety is our top priority.

Know Your Rights: Sharing Important Information & Resources | Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Sharing important information & resources!

 

Everyone has rights—regardless of immigration status. Visit oia.lacounty.gov/KYR for tools and resources to help you understand your rights, connect with legal support, and find local services. - County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

Do you know the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative warrant? Understanding your rights is key to protecting yourself and your community! Here’s what you need to know:

- A judicial warrant is issued by a judge or court and may allow law enforcement to enter your home without your consent.
- An administrative warrant is issued by ICE and does not allow ICE to enter your home without permission.

Swipe to get more information on community organizations, county resources, and online workshops.

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Compartir información, organizaciones y recursos importantes 

Todo el mundo tiene derechos, independientemente de su estatus migratorio. Visite oia.lacounty.gov/KYRpara obtener herramientas y recursos que le ayudarán a entender sus derechos, conectarse con apoyo legal y encontrar servicios locales. 

¿Conoces la diferencia entre una orden judicial y una orden administrativa? ¡Entender tus derechos es clave para protegerte a ti y a tu comunidad! Esto es lo que necesitas saber:

- Una orden judicial es emitida por un juez o tribunal y puede permitir a las fuerzas del orden entrar en tu casa sin tu consentimiento.
- Una orden administrativa es emitida por ICE y no permite a ICE entrar a tu casa sin permiso.

Pase el dedo para obtener más información sobre organizaciones comunitarias, recursos del condado y talleres en línea.

COMMUNITY UPDATE #4: Ongoing Protest in Los Angeles County | Saturday, June 14, 2025

The City of Commerce and East Los Angeles (ELA) Sheriff’s Department are aware of the public demonstrations today in neighboring cities in Los Angeles County.

The Sheriff’s Department remains committed to working hand in hand with community leaders, advocacy groups, and partner agencies to support peaceful public demonstrations and uphold everyone’s right to be heard.

The ELA Sheriff’s Department, local Police Departments and California Highway Patrol and are not just law enforcement, they are our neighbors, our fellow Californians, and members of the very communities they serve.

To be clear, the ELA Sheriff’s Department does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do they ask about an individual's immigration status when they respond to calls for service. 

Unfortunately, recent actions at the federal level have caused confusion and unrest, leaving the burden to fall on local law enforcement, community leaders, small businesses, and residents to restore calm and address the aftermath.

We are urging everyone to stand together during this time. Please support our local officers by remaining respectful and peaceful. Together, we can ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe, united, and focused on building understanding—not division.

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COMMUNITY UPDATE #3: Know Your Rights - Pick Up Your Red Cards at City Facilities! | Tuesday, June 10, 2025

 

For more information, click here to read more about Red Cards.

 

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COMUNIDAD ACTUALIDAD #3: Conozca sus derechos | ¡Recoja sus tarjetas rojas en las instalaciones de la ciudad! | Martes, 10 de junio de 2025

 

COMMUNITY UPDATE #2: Monday, June 9, 2025

The City of Commerce is following up on speculation of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Command Center being set up within our city.

After investigation, we have verified that there is no ICE activity or command center currently operating in Commerce. We will continue to work closely with our Sheriff’s Department to monitor any developments and ensure accurate information is shared with our community.

We also recognize the ongoing protests happening across Los Angeles in response to federal immigration enforcement operations. We support our community members who choose to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest, a critical part of our democracy.

We are committed to promoting a safe and inclusive environment and protecting the rights of our residents who call our city home, regardless of immigration status.

From the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department:

“The Sheriff’s Department is not involved in any federal law enforcement operations. When federal authorities come under attack and request assistance, we will support them and provide aid.

However, this does not mean that we are assisting with their immigration actions or operations; rather, our objective is to protect them from any violent attacks. Any assault on federal or local law enforcement is unacceptable.

The Sheriff’s Department will continue working with community leaders, advocacy groups, and partner agencies to ensure peaceful public demonstrations. However, we will address and strictly enforce the law when any acts of violence, arson, or vandalism are committed. These acts will not be tolerated.”

For those seeking support or legal guidance regarding immigration, we’ve compiled a list of resources that are available to assist:

 

• City of Commerce Public Library
• Immigration Law Resource Center
• National Immigration Law Center
• The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
• Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Legal Aide Foundation of Los Angeles
• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Immigrant Services
• Southern California Immigrant Center
• Peoples Immigration Resource Center
• Immigration Center for Women and Children 

 

We stand together to protect the rights and ensure the safety of our community. We will continue to share updates via our official communication platforms as more information becomes available.

Respectfully, 
City of Commerce

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ACTUALIZACIÓN COMUNITARIA #2: Lunes 9 de junio de 2025

La Ciudad de Commerce desea aclarar la especulación sobre la posible instalación de un centro de operaciones del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) dentro de nuestra ciudad.

Tras realizar una investigación, hemos verificado que no hay actividad de ICE ni centro de operaciones actualmente en Commerce. Continuaremos trabajando en estrecha colaboración con el Departamento del Sheriff para monitorear cualquier novedad y asegurar que nuestra comunidad reciba información precisa y actualizada.

También reconocemos las protestas que están teniendo lugar en Los Ángeles en respuesta a las recientes acciones federales de inmigración. Apoyamos a los miembros de nuestra comunidad que eligen ejercer su derecho a reunirse y protestar pacíficamente, un elemento fundamental de nuestra democracia.

Estamos comprometidos a promover un ambiente seguro, inclusivo y a proteger los derechos de todos nuestros residentes, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Commerce es una ciudad que da la bienvenida a todas las personas que la llaman hogar.

Del Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Los Ángeles:

“El Departamento del Sheriff no participa en operaciones de agencias federales de cumplimiento de la ley. Cuando las autoridades federales se ven atacadas y solicitan asistencia, las apoyamos para garantizar su seguridad.

Sin embargo, esto no significa que estemos colaborando con sus acciones u operaciones migratorias; nuestro objetivo es proteger a todos contra cualquier acto de violencia. Cualquier agresión contra autoridades locales o federales es inaceptable.

El Departamento del Sheriff continuará trabajando con líderes comunitarios, grupos de defensa y agencias asociadas para asegurar manifestaciones públicas pacíficas. No obstante, actos de violencia, incendio intencional o vandalismo serán enfrentados con firmeza conforme a la ley. Estas conductas no serán toleradas.”

Si usted o alguien que conoce necesita orientación legal o apoyo relacionado con temas de inmigración, aquí encontrará una lista de organizaciones disponibles para brindar asistencia:

 

• City of Commerce Public Library
• Immigration Law Resource Center
• National Immigration Law Center
• The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
• Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Legal Aide Foundation of Los Angeles
• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Immigrant Services
• Southern California Immigrant Center
• Peoples Immigration Resource Center
• Immigration Center for Women and Children 
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COMMUNITY UPDATE #1: Sunday, June 8, 2025 

The City of Commerce is closely monitoring recent activity related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles County, including reports of a presence in nearby communities.

As a city, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all members of our community, regardless of immigration status. We recognize these developments are unsettling and may cause fear and uncertainty among our residents.

In alignment with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we reaffirm that the City of Commerce and the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department do not participate in or assist with federal immigration enforcement operations.

We urge everyone to remain vigilant as we continue to assess the situation with your safety as our priority.

We will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels as more information becomes available.

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La Ciudad de Commerce está monitoreando de cerca la actividad reciente relacionada con las operaciones del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) en el condado de Los Ángeles, incluidos informes sobre presencia en comunidades cercanas.

Como ciudad, estamos comprometidos a promover un ambiente seguro, inclusivo y acogedor para todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Reconocemos que este tipo de acontecimientos pueden generar temor e incertidumbre entre nuestros residentes.

En coordinación con el Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Los Ángeles, reafirmamos que ni la Ciudad de Commerce ni la estación del Sheriff del Este de Los Ángeles participan ni colaboran con operativos federales de inmigración.

Instamos a nuestra comunidad a mantenerse informada y alerta, mientras continuamos monitoreando la situación con su seguridad como prioridad.

Seguiremos compartiendo actualizaciones a través de nuestros canales oficiales de comunicación, conforme haya más información disponible.