Posters popping up around Los Angeles with the words “Missing son,” “Missing father,” and “Missing grandmother” are not typical missing person pleas but instead highlight immigrants disappeared by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice). These posters, designed to humanize the individuals affected, tell the stories of people like Kilmar Ábrego Garcia, mistakenly deported without a hearing, Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda, detained despite living in the US for 10 years with no criminal history, and Andry Hernández Romero, a makeup artist deported to El Salvador due to misinterpretation of his tattoos.

The campaign of quiet resistance in the streets of Los Angeles aims to challenge the narrative around immigrants as criminals and evoke empathy for those impacted by immigration policies. The posters, along with alternative descriptions of Ice, have sparked a local solidarity movement, with individuals like Ben and Sebastian leading the effort to share these stories. These images have emerged amidst protests against Trump’s immigration policies, with the city becoming a focal point for demonstrations against the administration’s actions.

In addition to the “Missing” posters, other messages of support and resistance have appeared across the city, reflecting a diverse range of voices speaking out against the injustices faced by immigrants. The DIY approach taken by individuals like Sydney, who created posters advocating for undocumented agricultural workers, adds to the grassroots nature of this movement, emphasizing neighborly support in the face of government actions. These images serve as a poignant reminder of the human impact behind the headlines, fostering a sense of community solidarity in the face of adversity.