Los Angeles County declares state of emergency over immigration raids
Los Angeles County officials voted Tuesday to declare a state of emergency in response to ongoing federal immigration raids. The move gives the county authority to provide assistance to residents affected financially by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions.
The declaration, introduced by County Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Janice Hahn, passed in a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger casting the lone opposition.
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Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty – PHOTO: Los-Angeles-ICE-Protest
Los Angeles County is home to more than 3 million immigrants. Supervisors said the ICE raids have “caused widespread fear” and resulted in “decreased attendance at workplaces, disruption of local economies, and strain on critical services such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.”
Among the measures outlined in the declaration are rent relief for tenants impacted by the raids, funding for legal aid, and other support services. The vote also allows the county to mobilize resources, request state and federal financial assistance, and expedite contracting to respond quickly to the situation.
“What’s happening in our communities is an emergency — and Los Angeles County is treating it like one,” said Horvath in a press release. “Declaring a Local Emergency ensures that the full weight of County government is aligned to support our immigrant communities who are being targeted by federal actions.”
ICE raids began in Los Angeles in early June, sparking protests that occasionally turned violent. While the Trump administration initially said its deportation efforts would focus on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, an ABC News analysis in July found that an increasing number of migrants arrested had no criminal convictions.
“For months, families have lived under threat and workers have been taken from job sites,” Horvath said. “This proclamation is about action and speed — it allows us to move faster, coordinate better, and use every tool available to protect and stabilize our communities. We will continue to stand with our immigrant neighbors — today, and for as long as it takes.”
The emergency declaration will remain in effect until the county board decides to terminate it.
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