Families across California are living in fear. Armed, masked federal agents are carrying out enforcement operations in our neighborhoods, near our schools, and at our workplaces. Parents are afraid to take their children to school. Workers are afraid to go to their jobs. Neighbors are afraid to buy groceries. No one should have to risk being detained, separated from their family, or harmed just to live their daily life.

When fear keeps people indoors, the consequences go beyond safety. Families lose income, fall behind on rent, and run out of food. Our response has to protect people both from enforcement and from the hardship that follows.

Our Demands

1. Declare a state of emergency.
We call on the Governor and California officials to formally declare a state of emergency. This would:

• Unlock state funding and resources for affected families.
• Coordinate state, county, and local agencies in one response.
• Support schools, health services, and emergency housing and food assistance.

2. Issue a stay-home order for affected communities.
No one should be punished for staying home to protect themselves and their families. We call on the Governor and the Legislature to:

• Protect workers from being fired or disciplined for absences tied to enforcement activity in their community.
• Ensure no one loses public benefits because they missed an in-person appointment.
• Expand remote and phone options for state and county services.

3. Let children stay home without penalty.
If parents are afraid to send their children to school because armed agents could put their safety at risk, children must have the option to stay home. We call on the California Department of Education and local school districts to: 

• Excuse these absences with no penalty to students or families.
• Provide remote learning and make-up options.
• Protect school funding so districts are not punished for lower attendance.

4. Rental assistance and housing protection.
Families who cannot work or leave home safely must not lose their housing. We call on the Governor, the Legislature, and local governments to: 

• Pause evictions for nonpayment tied to enforcement-related loss of income.
• Fund emergency rental assistance that is open to families regardless of immigration status.
• Bar late fees and penalties for affected tenants during the emergency.

5. Strengthen and expand legal and community resources.
California must improve existing resources, fund new ones, and make sure every community member knows they exist. We call on the Governor and the Legislature to: 

• Improve existing resources. Review and strengthen current legal aid, rapid-response, and know-your-rights programs so they are accessible, accurate, and available in every language our communities speak.
• Expand funding for legal services. Provide emergency funding to increase access to immigration attorneys, legal screenings, and representation, especially for detained and at-risk community members.
• Provide sample risk assessment charts. Publish clear, plain-language guides that help people understand their potential risks based on their current immigration status, and what steps they can take to prepare. These should be reviewed by qualified immigration attorneys and updated as policies change.
• Publish guidance for locating loved ones. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to find a family member or friend who may be in ICE custody, including how to use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System and where to turn for help when someone cannot be found.
• Make sure everyone knows these resources exist. Fund outreach through schools, clinics, community organizations, faith groups, local media, text alerts, and social media, in multiple languages and accessible formats.

Our Call to Action
We are asking you to sign, share, and show up. Sign this petition to demand a state of emergency, a stay-home order, and real protections for children and families. Then take one concrete step: donate, volunteer, or sign up for a delivery shift.

Nonprofits and aid providers: step up.
If you are a nonprofit, community organization, or legal or aid provider, we urge you to provide rental assistance, emergency funds, legal support, food, and other direct aid to affected families. Coordinate with other groups so help reaches everyone who needs it.

Neighbors: show up.
If you are not at risk, you can help. We ask community members who are not vulnerable to enforcement to volunteer for grocery delivery, errand running, and school pickups and drop-offs for families who cannot safely leave home. A bag of groceries left at a door can keep a family safe and fed.

Donate. Give to a trusted local organization providing rental assistance, legal support, or food to affected families in your community. 

Our communities keep California running. We must keep them safe.