In the News

By Laurie Perez

Even though Angie Romero is busy running a business in the heart of Little Tokyo, she took a few hours off on Monday to get trained as a legal observer to document immigration operations throughout Los Angeles. 

"These are our neighbors, our family members, our daycare workers, our ramen staff, people we see every day," Romero said. 

With the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic leading the session, Romero joined dozens of others looking to bear witness effectively and safely.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), who hosted the training, did not soften the risks that come for anyone who raises a smartphone to federal agents, especially following the deadly shooting of Minnesota nurse Alex Pretti, still top of mind. 

"None of this is abstract," Gomez said. "The risks are real. The stakes are real."

The training comes as a wave of community advocates use smartphones to record and livestream immigration enforcement operations throughout the country. 

Organizers stressed that legal observers are there to witness and document, not to negotiate with agents or to obstruct. 

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