Twenty-three percent of USC’s undergraduate student population identifies as first generation. Aside from being the first in their families to attend college, many of them may be part of mixed-status families or have immigrant parents.
Since June 6th, the city of Los Angeles has been caught in the crossfire of the current presidential administration, becoming a hotspot for raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
During just the first week of immigration raids in the city, over 330 people were detained, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. No further information on detainment numbers has been released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since June 11th.
The enlarged presence of ICE in Los Angeles has caused fear amongst the community, leaving many local businesses closed until further notice as immigrants own 40% of small business in California, according to the Bay Area Council Economic Institute.
However, community resistance has been more prevalent than ever.
Dímelo sat down with immigration attorney, Jose Jordan, to discuss the proper measures that young adults can take to help their families. Jordan is the co-founder of Jose Jordan & Associates, a law firm that prides itself in being “Abogados Latinos Para Latinos”.
“Let’s say you want to get this car moving, you don’t necessarily have to be the driver, but you can be a piece of this vehicle” Jordan added. “But if you want to help, make sure you’re doing it the right way—with guidance, training, and legal protection for the people you’re trying to serve.”
How to Help—Safely and Effectively
How can students and allies support undocumented communities without crossing legal or ethical lines? According to Jordan, the best way is to work through established nonprofit organizations that already provide legal services.
“If you want to help, go to a nonprofit,” he says. “They have attorneys that give legal advice, they have checklists, they have forms that have been reviewed.”
Organizations like CHIRLA, Union Del Barrio, IMMDEF, and Inclusive Action are just some of the community groups who welcome volunteers to help provide resources for immigrants.
Other organizations like Raices con Voz, YMCALA, and Orale are accepting donations and volunteers to conduct grocery drop offs around the city.
Union del Barrio and Orale are also looking for rapid response volunteers for when ICE presence is seen in nearby cities.
“As a student, you’re not going to be the one going to court, but you can still be part of the process. You can help with intake interviews, community outreach, and logistics,” says Jordan.
He speaks from personal experience, recounting how he first got involved in immigration law as an immigrant himself at the time. “When I started out, I didn’t know how to submit a motion or file a case. I volunteered. And through that process, I realized how I could help in the right way. It took time before I was qualified to take on legal work myself—and that’s okay.”
Jordan stresses that learning the complexities of the law takes more than a quick Google search. “Just because I can look something up doesn’t mean I understand how the law actually works,” he says. “The nuances are what make or break a case.”
What Not to Do
Equally important, Jordan says, is understanding what not to do. Offering legal opinions without proper training is not only dangerous—it can be life-altering for someone who’s relying on your guidance.
“You don’t want to tell someone what they qualify for. You don’t want to say, ‘Hey, you should file this form,’” he cautions. “Just like I wouldn’t tell someone which medication to take—I’m not a doctor—I wouldn’t want someone giving out immigration advice unless they really know what they’re doing.”
He reminds students that in times of fear, undocumented individuals are especially vulnerable to following any guidance they receive. “People are scared. And if they believe you know what you’re talking about, they’ll do what you say. That could lead to deportation, arrest, or family separation.”
USC Law Student Hotline: The Process—and Its Risks
In response to recent ICE raids and rising fears in undocumented communities, a student-led organization at USC known as Agents of Change has launched a free immigration hotline aimed at helping individuals switch their in-person court hearings to remote video appearances.
The hotline, open to calls from anyone across the U.S. and abroad, is staffed by student volunteers and supervised by USC faculty member and civil rights attorney Olu Orange, who files the motions through his law office.
But Jordan stresses the importance of legal oversight in immigration filings, noting that judges don’t always decide on remote hearing motions until the day of the court date—which means a person who doesn’t appear in person could be deported in absentia.
The initiative was created to provide urgent support to immigrants who fear being detained at court despite showing up to comply with their legal obligations.
Jordan warns that while the effort is well-intentioned, it’s also potentially dangerous. “There’s a thin line between helping and hurting,” he said.
Advice for DACA Recipients and Undocumented Students
Jordan also addressed the role of undocumented youth and DACA recipients who want to be involved in advocacy. His advice? Use your voice—but be mindful of the risks.
“If you’re a DACA recipient, you can protest. You can volunteer at nonprofits. You can raise awareness. In fact, the more noise you make, the better,” he says. “If enough people speak up, maybe it will influence Congress to pass immigration reform. Maybe it’ll influence the Supreme Court or this administration to protect DACA.”
And for undocumented students?
“It’s the same,” he emphasizes. “You may not be able to vote, but you can talk to people who can. You can call your representatives. The more we push this agenda, the more they have to listen. And when election time comes, immigration might finally become a priority.”
For Mixed-Status Families: What to Do If a Loved One Is Detained
For U.S. citizen children in mixed-status households, Jordan advises having a plan in case a parent is detained. First and foremost, seek legal help immediately.
“If your mom or dad gets detained, don’t panic,” he says. “Find an immigration attorney. If you don’t know one, contact your country’s consulate. If your parents are Mexican, for example, go to the Mexican consulate. They work with attorneys who can help fight deportation cases or seek bond.”
If in need, Jordan explains that the attorneys provided by the consulate will help fight the deportation case and try to get the detainee out on bond.
Los Angeles County has 92 consulates. Here is a PDF that includes their contact information.
In addition to the attorney’s advice, he’s firm on one point: “Just because someone is undocumented doesn’t mean they don’t have rights. That’s simply not true.”