Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. For legal assistance, please contact an attorney.
Immigration Information and Resources: What You Need to Know from LASD
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents across our diverse communities. Our mission is to enforce the law, protect public safety, and serve every individual with fairness, dignity, and respect.
As a local law enforcement agency, our focus is on enforcing state and local laws. We do not engage in civil immigration enforcement which is the role of the federal government. Our deputies do not ask about immigration status during routine interactions, and immigration status does not influence how we respond to calls for service or investigate crimes because a person’s immigration status is not relevant to whether a state crime has been committed. Our objective is to ensure the safety of all individuals in Los Angeles County.
The focus of the Department’s efforts is to focus on compliance with state laws, including the California Values Act (SB 54), the TRUST Act, and the TRUTH Act. These laws generally outline how local law enforcement agencies may cooperate with federal immigration authorities. In addition, we follow all County policies and internal Department procedures.
This webpage offers and overview of some of these laws, policies, and community resources to help the public better understand the limits of LASD’s role in immigration matters.
Our priority is to build trust and foster strong relationships with the communities we serve, while ensuring public safety.
To learn more about our policies and your rights, please review our community guides:
Immigration Information Guide, English – PDF
Policy and Guidlines
The California Values Act (SB 54) prohibits officers from investigating, detaining or arresting people solely based on their immigration status.
Additional information on this topic is provided by the State of California Department of Justice, please see this information sheet.
Board of Supervisors Motion (2020) – Link
In 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) transfers from County custody without a judicial warrant.
LA County Sheriff’s Department – Manual of Policy & Procedures (MPP)
In accordance with California law and County directives, LASD has adopted internal policies that specify how deputies handle immigration-related inquiries and detainer notifications. These policies reinforce our commitment to lawful, equitable, and transparent practices, and can be found in the links below:
5-09/271.00 – Immigration Inquiries and Notifications
4-06/005.05 Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detainer Notification
For a complete list of the Department’s policies, please visit the LASD Manuals and Policies webpage, where you may access all of the Department’s policies and procedures.
County Resources
Los Angeles County offers services to individuals regardless of immigration status. Contact information for County agencies offering resources and services is below:
Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs (OIA)
Website: oia.lacounty.gov – Link
Services:
• Free immigration legal services
• DACA support
• “Know Your Rights” materials
• Help accessing County services and public benefits
LA County Library – Immigration Resources
Website: lacountylibrary.org/citizenship/ – Link
Services:
• Citizenship and ESL classes
• Free legal clinics
• Immigration information
211 LA County
Website: www.211la.org – Link
Phone: Dial 2-1-1 (available 24/7, multilingual)
Services:
• Connects residents to legal, health, housing, and immigration services.