Fire Aid and Immigrant Relief (FAIR) Project

Wildfire relief

San Gabriel Valley

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The recent wildfires have disproportionately affected immigrants through property and employment loss. Many mixed-status immigrant families may hesitate in seeking assistance due to fears it may impact their immigration status or put their families at risk for separation/deportation. According to the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, Latinos make up 23% of residents in the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fire zones but represent 36% of the workforce there. This underscores the ongoing impact of the wildfires on mixed-status immigrant households, with some members likely ineligible for FEMA relief or other public aid due to immigration status. Without support from organizations like CHIRLA, our immigrant community is at a higher risk of missing out on timely and equitable fire relief. To date, CHIRLA has supported 1,368 families. Of the families helped, 1,154 individuals reported having two or more people in their household, which includes 191 children living in 149 households.

CHIRLA’s FAIR Project seeks to expand recovery resources for immigrant households with children and college students who were affected by the recent wildfires. Since January 2025, CHIRLA has supported 1,368 families (of which191 were children under 18)and impacted college students at CSU Los Angeles through our iRelief Program. iRelief was developed in 2020 during the pandemic to provide food, financial, and housing assistance to low-income immigrants impacted by the pandemic. It has since evolved to provide disaster relief for impacted immigrant households. CHIRLA has provided direct assistance, essential items (food, toiletries, clothing, and baby items), and referrals/resources. FAIR recognizes the unique needs of immigrant households with children who have lost their homes, schools, and parks in the fires. Families with children and college students need resources to rebuild and stabilize their lives, especially after losing their schools, parks, and other community spaces.

FAIR will provide short- and long-term recovery resources so immigrant families with children can rebuild. FAIR provides in-language (English/Spanish) resource navigation with social service agencies, government, and community partners. FAIR is part of CHIRLA’s long-term effort to develop disaster case management for impacted immigrant households and workers who have lost their homes, schools, parks, and employment. Our goal is to provide resources so families can rebuild and stabilize their lives and children can thrive. Resources will also go to CSULA students impacted by the wildfires to increase successful college completion. Success would look like clients receiving timely referrals and access to housing, healthcare, mental health support, legal aid, and direct assistance; improved stability in areas such as housing, employment, and health post-disaster; and immigrant families feeling more informed, supported, and capable of navigating disaster recovery systems.