What to Know if Immigration Enforcement Comes to Your Business
In recent weeks, Los Angeles has seen an increase in immigration enforcement actions at workplaces, including visits by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. These actions have raised questions for small business owners about what to expect and how to respond.
This page provides general guidance for small businesses about what the law allows, what your rights are, and how to prepare.
Please note: This information is for general informational purposes only. The content is not legal advice and should not be construed as City of Los Angeles policy. If you are in need of legal advice, please contact an attorney.
Public and Private Spaces
Federal immigration agents may enter public areas of your business without permission.
Examples of public areas include:
- The dining area of a restaurant
- A lobby or waiting room
- A parking lot
Access to non-public or private areas, such as offices, kitchens, storage rooms, or employee-only hallways, generally requires either:
- A judicial warrant signed by a judge
- Or the explicit consent of the employer or authorized personnel
To help establish areas as private:
- Use signs that clearly state "Private" or "Employees Only"
- Keep doors to those areas closed or secured
Establish internal policies that limit public access
If ICE Agents Arrive
You have the right to ask for identification and to review any documentation presented.
- You can ask if the agents have a judicial warrant. These must be signed by a judge and specify the areas to be searched and the individuals or materials involved.
- Administrative warrants (such as Form I-200 or I-205) are not signed by a judge and do not grant access to private areas without consent.
You are not legally required to answer questions about your employees or customers.
- You can inform agents that you are not authorized to speak on behalf of the business or that you would like to consult an attorney before answering any questions.
You have the right to observe and document the interaction.
- If it is safe to do so, you may take notes, photograph documents presented, or record the interaction.
- It is helpful to note: time and date, the number of agents, their names and badge numbers, what was said, what areas were entered, and what was taken or reviewed.
What to Do After an Encounter
- Inform staff of what occurred and document everything while details are fresh.
- If an employee is detained, ask agents where they are being taken to help their family or attorney locate them.
- Consider reaching out to legal counsel for further guidance.
Preparing Your Business in Advance
Many businesses choose to prepare in advance by:
- Designating a point of contact who will respond to any law enforcement inquiries
- Creating a written response policy so that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities
- Training employees on how to handle visits from immigration or law enforcement officials
- Reviewing document storage practices, especially for I-9 forms and other sensitive employee data
- Posting clear signage that identifies restricted areas of the business