‘Know Your Rights’ Webinar: How Practical Guidance Empowers Women and Families Facing Uncertainty
A vital guide for women and families in Los Angeles facing immigration enforcement—learn legal rights, community support and access essential legal resources.
You’re dropping your children off at school when you notice a cluster of official-looking vehicles in the car park. Your stomach drops as you recognise the telltale signs of an immigration enforcement action. The questions flood in: What should you do? Who can you call? How do you protect your family or help your neighbours?
For many women and families across Los Angeles, these moments of uncertainty have become increasingly common. Recent enforcement actions in Southern California have involved large-scale operations arresting over 100 individuals, including families with children, often transferring detainees to distant facilities like Adelanto. The ripple effects extend far beyond those directly detained, creating what advocates describe as a climate of fear that disrupts daily life and community activities.
Why Knowing Your Rights Matters for Women and Families
When immigration enforcement actions occur, women often find themselves at the centre of the crisis – worrying about children’s safety, coordinating family responses and navigating complex legal situations under intense pressure. The emotional toll is significant: research shows children separated from parents due to detention or deportation experience elevated symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Recent reports from Los Angeles describe families being held in overcrowded conditions with limited food and water, whilst legal aid groups face restricted access to assist detainees. These realities highlight the importance of having practical guidance before a crisis occurs.
Recognising this need, the Los Angeles County Bar Association is hosting a free virtual seminar, ‘Know Your Rights – During and After ICE Encounters’, on 26 June 2025 from 12.00 to 1.00pm PT. The webinar aims to provide essential guidance for individuals, families and employers navigating encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
What the Webinar Offers
The session will cover fundamental rights during ICE encounters in public spaces, at home and in the workplace. Attendees will learn what to do if detained, how to access legal resources and practical steps employers can take to protect their rights during raids.
Two experienced legal professionals will lead the discussion. Meredith Brown, who has practised immigration law for over 25 years, serves on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Immigration Section. Her practice focuses on family petitions, immigration court defence and naturalisation, with a particular commitment to keeping families together.
Patricia Corrales brings nearly 30 years of experience in immigration and criminal law. As a former Senior Attorney for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE from 1995 to 2012, she has unique insight into both sides of immigration enforcement. Since founding her solo practice in 2013, she has specialised in criminal immigration defence and family immigration cases.
Real-World Consequences
The practical impact of immigration enforcement extends beyond immediate legal concerns. Families face the stress of potential separation, confusion during high-pressure encounters and difficulty understanding complex legal language when emotions are running high. The uncertainty can be paralysing – should children stay home from school? Is it safe to go to work? What happens if someone is arrested?
Clear information can help families make informed decisions rather than react from fear. Understanding basic rights – such as the fact that ICE agents need a judicial warrant to enter homes, or that individuals have the right to remain silent and contact their consulate – can provide crucial protection during encounters.
How Communities Can Prepare
Immigration enforcement can affect anyone, regardless of their own status. Witnesses to ICE actions may want to help but feel uncertain about their rights or how to provide assistance safely. Community preparation helps build collective confidence and ensures accurate information spreads rather than rumours and misinformation.
Educational events like the upcoming webinar serve multiple purposes: they provide practical guidance, connect community members with legal professionals and help identify reliable resources before they’re needed. When families know where to turn for help, they can respond more effectively to challenging situations.
The current enforcement environment has prompted various community responses, from faith leaders organising interfaith prayer walks to local organisations working to provide support services. Legal education forms a crucial part of this community response, offering practical tools alongside emotional support.
Accessing the Webinar
The ‘Know Your Rights – During and After ICE Encounters’ webinar and additional information are available at lacba.org. The virtual format makes the session accessible to those who may be hesitant to attend in-person events or have childcare commitments during the day.
The Los Angeles County Bar Association emphasises the importance of empowering communities with knowledge necessary to assert and protect legal rights. In an environment where enforcement actions can happen suddenly and without warning, having this information readily available can make the difference between panic and informed action.
Whether you attend yourself or pass along the information to someone who might benefit, events like this webinar represent an investment in community resilience. When families understand their rights and know how to access help, they’re better equipped to navigate challenging situations whilst protecting their safety and dignity.
