In a move that critics say stretches the meaning of the word “emergency,” the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to declare a local state of emergency in response to ongoing federal immigration raids carried out under the Trump administration.
Typically reserved for wildfires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, the declaration unlocks state and local resources to assist illegal immigrants and their families affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. County officials said the declaration will allow for “rapid response” measures such as rent relief, legal aid, and possible eviction moratoriums for those impacted.
The raids have intensified since a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year expanded federal immigration enforcement authority in Southern California. Thousands have been detained in recent weeks, sparking protests and political backlash from local officials who have long opposed federal immigration enforcement within the county.
At least 12 raids took place in Los Angeles today alone, according to NewsNation.
Los Angeles County, with a population of about 10 million, is home to the nation’s largest concentration of undocumented immigrants. According to Pew Research, illegal immigrants make up roughly 8% of California’s workforce and about 5-6% of the state’s total population.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger cast the lone dissenting vote, saying county taxpayers should not be footing the bill for a politically driven declaration. This is not what an emergency declaration is intended for, several residents said during public comment, urging the board to focus instead on wildfire recovery, homelessness, and other ongoing crises.
The declaration applies only to Los Angeles County, not statewide, and will remain in effect until the board votes to rescind it.
Critics argue that the county’s move politicizes emergency powers and undermines federal law enforcement efforts, while supporters say it’s a humanitarian necessity.
Either way, Los Angeles now stands virtually alone in treating immigration enforcement as a disaster.
One thought on “Los Angeles County declares ’emergency’ due to ICE roundup of illegals”
The CA left are so desperate for those votes and census counts they will commit crime by aiding and abetting law breaking, and undermining their legal citizens. The elected officials making such decisions probably were not even honestly elected as California is so over the top corrupt. ‘Immigrants and their families’ – there are very few intact families in the invasion mix and they are illegal migrants not law abiding immigrants. Too many have criminal records or unknown ill intent. The few who legitimately need asylum can be determined and helped but they are likely a minority. Ludicrous.