Undocumented renters caught between fire and ICE in LA burn zone

Published: 12:00am, 23 Aug 2025Updated: 12:34am, 23 Aug 2025

Blanca and her family fled a deadly wildfire in January that devastated her Los Angeles area neighbourhood and burned the clothing alterations business she had owned for six years to the ground.

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Her rented flat in Altadena was spared but uninhabitable, with no gas, electricity or hot water, and contaminated with toxic ash and soot.

But she was ineligible for federal help for her business or her home because she is undocumented.

Now 48, she came from Mexico more than 20 years ago with one child.

After the fire, she and her family lived in temporary housing while she and her neighbours battled with the flat building manager to clean and repair their ruined homes.

Cynthia Lunine holds her custom-made poster during an anti-ICE protest outside the Home Depot in Pasadena, California earlier this month. Photo: TNS
Cynthia Lunine holds her custom-made poster during an anti-ICE protest outside the Home Depot in Pasadena, California earlier this month. Photo: TNS

US President Donald Trump ordered a crackdown on undocumented immigrants in late January when he took office.

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