From across our district, I’m hearing from people, including federal workers, refugees and immigrants, and people of all backgrounds, about how recent actions taken by President Trump and his administration have directly threatened or harmed them. I am in constant communication not only with constituents but with my House and Senate colleagues, state and local partners, and organizations on the ground to work on your behalf and to share as much information as possible in this turbulent moment.
Please be assured that I am closely monitoring every action taken by the Trump Administration. I will do everything in my power to protect the interests of all of my constituents across Ventura County and the Conejo Valley. In Congress, I am working with my colleagues to utilize every legislative and oversight tool available in the House of Representatives to oppose any unlawful actions that would harm our community and our state.
Whether it’s helping you navigate federal programs, advocating for the needs of our community, or ensuring your voice is heard in Washington, I will keep fighting for the best interests of Ventura County. My office is ready to assist those affected by providing as much information as we can during this time. Below you can find a list of resources our team has compiled for you and your family. Be advised, per House Ethics guidance, we are only permitted to share information from government sources and cannot list resources from private-sector or nonprofit organizations.
As always, my office remains open to assist you. If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (805) 379-1779. I’m here to help!
Sincerely,
JULIA BROWNLEY
Member of Congress
RESOURCES FOR FEDERAL WORKERS
Since taking office, President Donald Trump and advisors like Elon Musk have taken aggressive, sweeping actions to attack the federal workforce, which will harm all Americans who count on Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, and other critical services. I am strongly committed to ensuring that our civil service remains nonpartisan to ensure that it can deliver for the American people.
As you navigate this challenging time in federal employment, you may wish to contact your union or HR representatives for more information.
If you are a government employee with information related to the politicization of the federal workforce, the firing of civil servants, and waste, fraud, or abuse of taxpayer dollars, you may reach out anonymously to the Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.
You can review your employment rights under federal law here:
- https://osc.gov/Documents/Outreach%20and%20Training/Handouts/Your%20Rights%20as%20a%20Federal%20Employee%20(v2024).pdf
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/#url=Appeals
To understand statutory whistleblower protections and accompanying resources, click here: https://whistleblower.house.gov/resources/resources-whistleblowers
Federal agencies are required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees with disabilities. Learn more here: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applicants
To understand prohibited personnel practices including the right to appeal, visit here:
- https://www.mspb.gov/ppp/ppp.htm#faq
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/
And for a basic primer on civil service law, click here: https://guides.loc.gov/federal-civil-service-employment-law
RESOURCES FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
You can learn more about services and legal protections for LGBTQ+ community members here: https://oag.ca.gov/lgbtq/rights
For state-wide general resources from the California Department of Public Health, visit: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DOA/Pages/LGBT_Health.aspx
For information on LGBTQ+ healthcare rights and resources, visit: https://www.dmhc.ca.gov/HealthCareinCalifornia/GettheBestCare/TGICare.aspx
You can learn more about local LGBTQ+ community resources and organizations supporting the overall health, mental health, and wellness of LGBTQ+ people below:
- Ventura County: https://www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/blog/2024/05/04/ventura-county-lgbtq-resources/
- Los Angeles County: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/rights/rights/sogie/lgbtqresources.html
The National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a tool on their website to find local resources: https://findtreatment.gov/
If you need to speak with someone, you can call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The information below is for general informational purposes only. Its contents are not legal advice.
The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain basic rights to everyone living in this country, even undocumented immigrants, no matter who is president.
If you are an immigrant, you should know your rights if you have an encounter with law enforcement or an immigration agent (ICE).
Get Prepared:
- Ensure that all important documents are in a safe place where family members can access them.
- Make a plan with family in the event you or a family member is detained by ICE, including identifying a caretaker for your children.
- Memorize important phone numbers.
- Consider consulting with an immigration attorney.
You Have Rights:
- You have the right to remain silent and to contact an attorney.
- You have the right to due process and to have your case heard before a judge.
- You have the right to say no to being searched or having your home searched unless ICE has an arrest warrant (not a removal order, etc). Agents do not have the right to search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause.
- You have the right to ask ICE to leave.
If You Interact With ICE:
- Do not volunteer ANY information.
- You do not need to provide your immigration status or place of birth.
- If ICE enters your home without your permission, probable cause, or a warrant, clearly state that you do not give them permission to enter or search your belongings.
- Do not lie or present any false or fraudulent documentation, including a fake name. You do not have any obligation to sign any document without speaking to an attorney. Do not sign a document you do not understand.
- If you feel safe, document the event using your phone (via video or audio recording). If ICE shows up to your home or place of work, ask to see a warrant before you open the door.
CONOZCA SUS DERECHOS
AVISO LEGAL: Esta información no debe ser interpretada como consejo legal. Para este tipo de consejo, consulte a un abogado de inmigración.
La Constitución de los Estados Unidos garantiza ciertos derechos básicos a todas las personas que viven en este país, incluso a los inmigrantes indocumentados, sin importar quién sea el presidente.
Si usted es un inmigrante, debe conocer sus derechos si tiene un encuentro con un agente de la ley o un agente de inmigración (ICE):
- Tiene derecho a permanecer en silencio
- No firme ningún documento sin consultar con un abogado
- No otorgue permiso para entrar a su casa
- Tiene derecho a preguntar “¿soy libre de irme?”
- Si lo arrestan, pida hablar con un abogado.
- No le dé al agente ninguna información de manera voluntaria
- No comparta su estatus migratorio ni su lugar de nacimiento
- No muestre ni use ningún documento fraudulento o documento con un nombre falso
- Solicite ver una orden judicial antes de abrir la puerta si un oficial de inmigración viene a su casa o trabajo.
Si un oficial de inmigración o ICE viene a su casa:
- NO ABRA LA PUERTA. Si ICE no tiene una orden judicial firmada por un juez, no pueden entrar a su casa.
- Si un agente de inmigración quiere mostrarle una orden judicial, puede mostrarla a través de la ventana o deslizarla por debajo de la puerta.
- Para que sea válida, la orden debe estar firmada por un juez y debe tener su nombre y dirección correctos.
- No necesita abrir la puerta para hablar con el agente. Si abre la puerta, estaría facilitando que los agentes de ICE ingresen a su casa a la fuerza.
You can view additional Know Your Rights resources here:
- Information about immigration rights and protections under the law can be found here: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources
- You may read about Immigrant Workers’ Rights and protections here: https://www.justice.gov/crt/immigrant-and-employee-rights-section
- Learn more about Federal Civil Rights and protected characteristics here: https://civilrights.justice.gov/
- Students and parents can learn more about rights to public education and view a full list of state-wide resources here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/yr25cdoletter0121.asp
The following resources can be used to find immigration-related legal services:
- If you or a loved needs immigration related legal services, you can review the Department of Justice’s list of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers here: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
- To learn more about immigration legal services and tips to avoid legal scams and fraud: https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-services
- You may also contact Legal Services Corporation to help you find a legal aid lawyer in your area at lsc.gov/find-legal-aid
- Or visit www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/flh-home or call (800) 285-2221 to find a lawyer through the American Bar Association.
Resources related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detainees:
- If a loved one has been detained, and you do not know where they were taken, you can use the Detainee Locator tool here: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
- To request direct assistance on behalf of a detained individual who you feel is being mistreated, you can visit the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO): https://www.dhs.gov/office-immigration-detention-ombudsman
- Report instances of fraud, waste, abuse, and criminal misconduct involving Department of Homeland Security programs, personnel and funds to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General: https://www.oig.dhs.gov/hotline
- If you do not wish to report directly to a federal agency, and you live within California’s 26th Congressional District, feel free to call our office at (805) 379-1779
Additional immigration-related resources:
- A list of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services-accredited organizations can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/942306/dl?inline
- Ventura County immigration resources: https://www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/farmworker-resource-immigration/
- Los Angeles County immigration resources: https://www.lacoe.edu/content/dam/lacoeedu/documents/generalcounsel/immigrant-relations/immigration-relations/LACOE%20Supporting%20Immigrant%20Students%20Toolkit.pdf
RESOURCES FOR VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBER FAMILIES
A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient or resident of a community living center: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/patientrights.asp
A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient’s family member: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/familyrights.asp
A list of your rights and responsibilities as a Tricare eligible member: https://tricare.mil/PatientResources/RightsResponsibilities
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
This can be an extremely distressing time for many. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, please call 911. Below you will find additional resources to help you locate and access mental health and substance abuse assistance.
The National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a tool on their website to find local resources: https://findtreatment.gov/
If you need to speak with someone, you can call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
HELP WITH A FEDERAL AGENCY
If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, my office remains open to assist you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (805) 379-1779. I’m here to help!
We will stay in touch with updated information as the various problems and solutions unfold.