Los Angeles Doubles Down on Immigrant Protections with New ‘Sanctuary City’ Measure
In a bold move reflecting the city’s deep commitment to its immigrant population, Los Angeles is poised to adopt a new ordinance officially designating it a "sanctuary city." The move comes amidst rising national anxieties about immigration enforcement under the incoming Trump administration.
The Los Angeles City Council, with a unanimous vote on Nov. 19, approved the ordinance, which筑构 codifies existing undocumented immigrant protections and clarifies the city’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
This new measure reinforces policies established by former Mayor Eric Garcetti during the previous Trump administration and aligns with California’s own "sanctuary state" law, SB 54.
“We have been a pro-immigrant city for a number of years, we know that there is a target on our back from this president-elect, and what we are doing here is we are hardening our defenses," Councilman Bob Blumenfield emphasized at the November 19th meeting. "We are codifying our good policies on protecting immigrants."
While the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has long operated under Special Order 40, which prevents officers from inquiring about immigration status or making arrests solely based on immigration status, the new ordinance further clarifies the city’s stance.
The ordinance includes a carefully crafted exception permitting LAPD to assist federal immigration authorities in cases involving serious offenses like violent felonies committed by individuals deported and who returned to the United States.
This exception reflects a delicate balance: safeguarding immigrant communities while upholding public safety.
The council’s decision sparked a sharp response from the Los Angeles County Republican Party, who issued a statement characterizing "sanctuary" policies as a threat to national security. They argued that such protections shielded serious criminals from facing justice.
"A country without secure borders isn’t a country at all. So-called ‘sanctuary’ cities and states sound warm and fuzzy, but the protections they offer aren’t for abuelas getting ice cream, they’re for people who’ve entered the country illegally and committed additional crimes. Whether drunk driving, robbery, sexual violence, assault or murder, none of those should go unpunished. Perpetrators should definitely not be protected by the largesse taken from hard-working taxpayers," the statement read.
The city’s unified stance on immigration is not limited to the City Council. The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education reaffirmed its "sanctuary district" status, committing to protecting students and families from federal immigration authorities.
Similarly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is taking proactive steps to mitigate the impact of potential changes in federal immigration policies. They are establishing a task force tasked with monitoring these changes and exploring the creation of a Department of Immigration Affairs.
The city’s decisive actions send a clear signal: Los Angeles will continue to be a welcoming haven for immigrants regardless of their legal status. The upcoming Trump administration’s approach to immigration remains a source of considerable uncertainty, but Los Angeles stands ready to defend its commitment to inclusivity and due process.
