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Emigration and immigration

Los Angeles County Declares State of Emergency Over Federal Immigration Raids

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Los Angeles County has become the latest entity to push back against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Southern California. The county declared a state of emergency after a 4-to-1 vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, citing the devastating effects of federal immigration sweeps on residents and their families. The emergency declaration aims to provide financial aid to those affected by the raids, including those who have refrained from work due to fear of detention and those who have lost income after family members were detained.

Key Takeaways:

  • The emergency declaration allows county officials to provide resources for those affected by federal immigration raids, including financial aid and rental relief.
  • The declaration was passed in a 4-to-1 vote by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, with Janice Hahn and other board members voting in favor of the declaration.
  • County officials estimate that thousands of people have been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in recent raids, producing a climate of fear among residents.
  • The county plans to begin accepting applications for rental relief assistance in December, with around $30 million in assistance available.
  • The emergency declaration may create issues for landlords and tenants, as well as invite litigation from the Trump administration.
  • The declaration also gives officials the ability to vote later to impose an eviction moratorium and other protections for tenants who might have fallen behind on rent payments due to the raids.
  • Kathryn Barger, a member of the board of supervisors, voted against the declaration, arguing that the raids did not meet the criteria for an emergency and that the declaration would undermine the purpose of emergency powers.

Statistics:

  • The county plans to provide around $30 million in rental relief assistance to residents affected by federal immigration raids.
  • The number of people detained by ICE in recent raids in Los Angeles County is in the thousands, according to county officials.

Sources:

  • "Los Angeles County officials declare state of emergency over federal immigration raids" (Los Angeles Times, [no date])
  • "Los Angeles County Votes to Declare State of Emergency Over Immigration Raids" (The New York Times, November 18, 2022)
  • "Los Angeles County sheriff says ICE raids are 'causing unnecessary fear'" (KTLA 5, August 2022)
  • "California National Guard members stand ready as people protest against the detention of migrants in Los Angeles" (The New York Times, June 2022)

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