Los Angeles Takes Stand as "Sanctuary City," Defying Imperative for Federal Immigration Cooperation
In a decisive move aimed at bolstering protections for undocumented immigrants, Los Angeles is poised to solidify its status as a "sanctuary city." The City Council is expected to enact an ordinance on Wednesday, prohibiting the use of city resources and personnel to enforce federal immigration laws. This move comes less than two weeks after Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, whose campaign heavily emphasized border security and mass deportations.
The council initially approved the ordinance on November 19th in a unanimous vote, but minor revisions prompted a second vote for finalization. This action strengthens existing policies and codifies protections for migrants living in the city illegally. As Councilman Bob Blumenfield stated, "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,"
"We are codifying our good policies on protecting immigrants," Councilman Blumenfield added.
The ordinance, set to take effect within 10 days upon Mayor Karen Bass’ signature, includes a crucial exception allowing the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cases involving violent felonies. This exception mirrors the LAPD’s current procedures and has only been invoked twice since 2018.
The move has sparked both praise and concern. While supporters hail it as a crucial safeguard for vulnerable populations, critics argue that it obstructs lawful enforcement. The Los Angeles County Republican Party issued a statement opposing the ordinance, stating:
"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."
This bold step by Los Angeles aligns it with California’s "sanctuary state" law, SB 54, also known as the California Values Act of 2017. The city’s move reflects a larger trend of resistance to federal immigration policies amongst municipalities across the country.
The Los Angeles Unified School District has also reaffirmed its status as a "sanctuary district," promising support and training for teachers and staff on how to respond to potential interactions with ICE. Additionally, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has established a task force to monitor the impact of evolving federal immigration policies on the county.
The debate surrounding sanctuary cities is likely to intensify as the incoming Trump administration takes office and implements its immigration agenda. While Los Angeles stands resolute in its commitment to protecting its immigrant population, the potential consequences of this defiance remain to be seen.
