LONG BEACH VALUES ACT
Long Beach Values Act Resource Guide | Federal Immigration Enforcement | Know Your Rights | Resource Helpline | Community Connectors | Legal Services Partners | Additional Resources | Long Beach Justice Fund FAQ
On March 13, 2018, the Long Beach City Council adopted the ‘Long Beach Values Act of 2018’ which established procedures for the requesting, collecting, maintaining and disclosing of sensitive information and the enforcement of federal immigration law. The City created this resource page to provide our community with information that may help them navigate Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.
On January 7, 2025, the City Council voted to strengthen and reaffirm the City’s commitment to the Long Beach Values Act. The first part of the motion requested that each separate appointing authority within the City formally commit to the Long Beach Values Act via a letter to the City Council, and that staff send the same request to certain external partner agencies. The action also included adding the City’s Data Privacy Guidelines into standard contractual language, expanding funding for defense support through the Long Beach Justice Fund, and developing informational materials and resources to educate community members on their rights and protections.
LONG BEACH VALUES ACT RESOURCE GUIDE
This resource guide is designed to provide helpful information for community members who may need assistance with immigration-related issues. It is important to know your rights and be prepared if you are stopped or questioned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Long Beach Values Act Resource Guide available in the following languages:عربي | Հայերեն | 正體中文 | فارسی | ខ្មែរ | 한국어 | Русский | Español | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
Immigration is a federal responsibility, with laws established at the national level and enforcement carried out by federal agencies. Local law enforcement, including the Long Beach Police Department, is not responsible for immigration enforcement and does not operate as an extension of federal immigration authorities.
Modeled after the California Values Act (SB 54), the Long Beach Values Act affirms that immigration enforcement is not a responsibility of the City. As a matter of policy, the City does not use its resources to enforce federal immigration law but remains fully compliant with all applicable federal laws and does not interfere with lawful federal enforcement activities. There is no City policy or practice that obstructs lawful federal enforcement efforts—immigration-related or otherwise.
We encourage members of our immigrant community to know their rights:
- Right to Remain Silent. You do not have to talk about your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents, or other officials. Anything you say could be used against you in immigration court. Do not lie about your status or provide false documents.
- Immigration Papers. If you are not a U.S. citizen and an immigration agent asks for your papers, you must show them if you have them with you. You have the right to remain silent or ask to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.
- Search Rights. If an immigration agent asks if they can search you, you have the right to say no. Agents do not have the right to search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause. If they ask to search you, you have the right to say no.
- Search and Arrest Warrant. If immigrant agents enter your home without your permission, you have the right to verbally express that you do not give them permission to enter your home or search your belongings. Ask for a search and arrest warrant.
- Carrying Papers. If you are 18 or older, carry your immigration papers with you at all times. If you do not have them, you can tell the officer that you want to remain silent or speak with a lawyer.
CALL THE LONG BEACH RESOURCE LINE FOR HELP
The Long Beach Resource Line, (562) 570-4246, is a hotline that supports anyone in Long Beach who needs help finding local, City and community resources. Calls are answered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also submit your contact information through our Assistance Request Form .
Connect with trained Resource Navigators for assistance with:
- Housing
- Food Access
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Legal Aid
- Mental and Physical Health
- & more!
Get more information about the Resource Line here.
COMMUNITY CONNECTORS
| ORALE www.orale.org 562-276-0267 |
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| Filipino Migrant Center www.filipinomigrantcenter.org 562-600-0362 |
LEGAL SERVICES PARTNERS
| Western State College of Law https://www.wsulaw.edu/ |
Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project https://www.esperanza-la.org/ |
LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
LEGAL RESOURCES
- Centro CHA
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- Filipino Migrant Center
- Immigrant Defenders Law Center
- L.A. Justice Fund
- 211 LA County
- LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs
- LA County Consumer and Business Affairs
- Public Law Center
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice SoCal
- Bet Tzedek
- Catholic Charities of Los Angeles
- Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) of California
- Children's Law Center of California El Rescate
- Immigration Center for Women and Children
- International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA)
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles LGBT Center
- Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic
HEALTH RESOURCES
- My Health LA
- Medi-Cal For DACA Recipients
- The Children's Clinic
- Medi-Cal Outreach and Health Access Program
- Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program
EDUCATION RESOURCES
- Long Beach Unified Free English as a Second Language Class
- Long Beach Public Library Career Online High School
- Long Beach City College Resources for DACA Students
- CSULB Dream Success Center
EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS RESOURCES
- Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network
- City of Long Beach Job, Internship & Fellowship Opportunities
LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND FAQ
What is the Long Beach Justice Fund?
The Long Beach Justice Fund (LBJF) helps ensure stability for the City’s immigrant community by providing free legal support to residents who have valid legal claims to remain in the United States. Many individuals face complex immigration proceedings without being able to afford counsel and are unable to effectively defend their cases due to the limited access of legal representation and the lack of legal literacy needed to advocate for themselves. To address this gap, the LBJF provides free legal representation to low-income individuals who live or work in Long Beach or have strong ties to the City, such as attending a local school or actively participating in community organizations; and who need legal representation to assert their valid legal claims to remain in the United States.
What services does the Long Beach Justice Fund provide?
The Long Beach Justice Fund offers the following services:
- Community Connection Services: Liaises between community members and Legal Service Providers by conducting outreach, education, and training, and by making referrals to legal and other essential services based on community needs—helping to bridge gaps in access to immigration support and resources.
- Removal Defense Legal Services: Providing representation for immigrants with valid legal reasons for staying in the United States.
- Affirmative Legal Services: Including but not limited to U Visas (which are set aside for victims of certain crimes who are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity), T Visas (which enable victims and qualifying family members of human trafficking who are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of human trafficking to remain in the US for an initial period of up to 4 years), and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions.
- Appellate Legal Services: Activities may include filing motions to reopen, and Ninth Circuit appeals for cases in which an immigration judge rules adversely against an immigrant’s ability to stay in the United States.
Who does the City of Long Beach partner with to provide Long Beach Justice Fund services, and how much funding has been allocated?
The City of Long Beach currently partners with two legal service organizations: Western State College of Law and Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project ; to provide removal defense services to eligible Long Beach residents. The total funded amount from the City is $200,000.
Additionally, the City partners with three local community-based organizations: ORALE, the Filipino Migrant Center , and United Cambodian Community; to deliver Community Connection Services under the Long Beach Justice Fund. The total funded amount from the City is $361,075.
Long Beach Justice Fund is funded through structural and one-time dollars from the City's General Fund.
What is the status of the Long Beach Justice Fund Legal Services Request for Proposals (RFP)?
The Long Beach Justice Fund Legal Services RFP seeks to partner with qualified legal service providers who will support services/representation in the areas of removal defense, affirmative applications, and appellate removal defense. The total funding available through the RFP is $734,750.00. The City anticipates a vendor being selected by the end of summer 2025.
