California non-profit targeted by federal, state lawmakers over LA protests
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Investigation launched into CHIRLA's protest involvement
- Lawmakers question $33.9M in government grants, call for audit.
- CHIRLA denies wrongdoing, citing mission of non-violent advocacy and legality.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, a non-profit working to advance human and civil rights of immigrants, is facing federal investigation and criticism from state lawmakers over its possible involvement in immigration protests. The group has denied accusations of wrongdoing.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, has launched an investigation into who funded and organized protests in Los Angeles. In a letter to CHIRLA’s Executive Director Angélica Salas, Hawley accused the group of aiding and abetting criminal conduct by providing logistical and financial support to protesters.
“Accordingly, you must immediately cease and desist any further involvement in the organization, funding or promotion of these unlawful activities,” Hawley said in the letter.
Salas was a speaker at a press conference held outside the Los Angeles federal building on Friday. The event ended with a walk around the block. Protests continued in the area into Friday evening and were declared unlawful by the Los Angeles Police Department around 7 p.m. About an hour later the police reported on X that “a small group of violent individuals” were throwing pieces of concrete.
CHIRLA’s director of communications, Jorge-Mario Cabrera, told The Bee, attendees with CHIRLA left the area after the walk around the block that concluded the press conference. Events that unfolded later were not related to the organization’s presence at the press conference, Cabrera said.
In a press release, Wednesday, Salas rejected Hawley’s allegation that any of CHIRLA’s work violates the law.
“Our mission is rooted in non-violent advocacy, community safety, and democratic values,” she said. “We will not be intimidated for standing with immigrant communities.”
Prior to the launch of Hawley’s investigation Wednesday, Assemblymember Carl DeMaio raised concerns that taxpayer money could be funding LA protests.
“The group instigating many of the riots in Los Angeles is CHIRLA — which got $34M in your tax dollars last year from Gov. Gavin Newsom and CA Democrats! DEFUND THE LEFT!” DeMaio wrote on X.
The group is a recipient of federal and state grants. Its latest tax return, from 2023, shows the group got about $33.9 million in government grants. It is not clear what portion of those grants came from state versus federal funds.
The Department of Homeland Security has given four grants to CHIRLA since 2014. The most recent award was $450,000 in 2023 for citizenship instruction and naturalization services. More recently CHIRLA has been named as a 2025-27 grant recipient by the California Workplace Outreach Project. The $265,000 grant is derived from the Department of Industrial Relations, which receives state funding.
Regardless of the source of its funding, Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, R-Trabuco Canyon, has asked the Legislature to approve a state audit to examine how state taxpayer revenues apportioned to CHIRLA have been used.
Advocacy groups like, SEIU California, which has been a part of organizing efforts in LA, have shown support for CHIRLA on social media.
“This is a full-scale assault on immigrant power and working people,” SEIU wrote on X. “We fight back. Together. #StandWithCHIRLA.”
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM.
