In the wake of mounting fears caused by increased immigration raids, the city of Huntington Park announced Thursday the launch of a new initiative aimed at protecting its vulnerable residents.
The introduction of the HP With You program comes at a time of heightened anxiety in the community with reports of unmarked vehicles and unidentified federal agents leaving many residents, particularly those in immigrant families, feeling anxious and isolated.
“The presence of fear on our streets is not the kind of public safety we believe in,” said Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores. “With HP With You, we’re sending a clear message: our residents are not alone. The city of Huntington Park stands with you.”
As a result of the recent ICE raids, residents are staying home, avoiding work and withdrawing from the everyday life they’ve built in Huntington Park.
“Our residents should never feel afraid to go to work, take their children to school, or simply walk outside,” said Huntington Park Vice Mayor Eddie Martinez. “HP With You is more than a program, it’s a promise. We will meet fear with facts, silence with support and uncertainty with action.”
The $150,000 program being implemented will include:
- Community Messaging Campaign: A citywide rollout of multilingual materials, posters, and digital content promoting messages like “Know Your Rights” and “We Keep Each Other Safe,” coupled with a unifying visual symbol that reassures residents of the city’s support.
- Legal Aid and Rapid Response Referrals: Partnerships with trusted legal aid organizations to offer confidential legal support and emergency assistance for residents experiencing immigration-related disruptions, without involving law enforcement.
- Non-Stigmatizing Food Distribution: Emergency food access through local nonprofits for families facing fear-related income loss or disruption, delivered discreetly and without documentation requirements.
- City Staff Training: All frontline employees will receive clear, legally vetted guidance on how to respond to immigration enforcement activity, ensuring residents are treated with respect and redirected to the proper resources.
The comprehensive community outreach and legal support is designed to reassure residents, defend their rights and ensure they continue to feel safe, supported and seen, according to the city.
The city recently had an increase in immigration raids taking place involving high-profile figures such as Homeland Department Secretary Kristi Noem joining ICE agents in two operations on June 13.
Also last month, federal agents in tactical gear set off an explosion entering the Huntington Park home during a law enforcement operation that startled a woman who was inside the house with her two young children.