Los Angeles has now officially joined the group of so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ across the United States, with the city council approving an ordinance prohibiting the utilization of city resources for immigration enforcement. This decision preempts the possibility of mass deportations expected under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. The unanimity of the council members in passing the ordinance signifies their commitment to prevent city departments from disclosing information about individuals with unauthorized status to federal immigration authorities.
While ‘sanctuary city’ or ‘sanctuary state’ are not legal terminologies, they represent a commitment to safeguard immigrant communities, refusing to voluntarily disclose data to immigration enforcement officers. This policy seeks to cultivate an environment where immigrants can feel secure and report crimes without any fear of being deported. These cities offer protection and assurance to immigrant communities.
Mayor Karen Bass is also on board with the legislation, and although required to approve it again as a formality, she has already made her support clear. She has the authority to veto the ordinance, but has expressed zero intentions of utilizing it. As Trump’s prospects of instituting a sweeping immigration reform loomed, immigration advocates pressed Los Angeles council members for quick action.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez made it clear that Los Angeles as a city will not collaborate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency at any level. He stressed the importance of demonstrating to the city’s immigrant population that their protection is paramount. Soto-Martinez, who was instrumental in introducing the motion, is well aware of the challenges faced by immigrants, as he himself comes from an immigrant family.
Many among Soto-Martinez’s constituents can relate to his parents’ experiences as they too lack legal status. Regardless, the councilmember emphasized how deeply rooted they are in the broader community, engaged in roles from housekeeping to working as caretakers. Yet, it remains to be seen how much the ordinance will actually change, given the city’s existing practice of non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The Los Angeles Police Department, for instance, already has a policy in place which prohibits officers from inquiring about an individual’s immigration status or arresting them on the basis of their legal status. Jim McDonnell, the city’s new police chief, has publicly committed to not participating in mass deportation endeavors or cooperating with federal agencies on immigration enforcement matters.
Former Mayor Eric Garcetti had previously implemented an executive order in 2019 that granted protections to immigrants. What this new ordinance does is legally establish such protections within the city’s law. Similarly, the state of California also affords numerous protections for immigrants.
For example, former California Gov. Jerry Brown in 2017 inked sanctuary state legislation which restricts police from asking about immigration status or engaging in federal immigration enforcement activities. Former President Trump tried retaliating by withholding federal funds from sanctuary cities and prioritizing cities that vowed to cooperate with immigration enforcement when allocating federal grants.
Cities like New York and San Francisco have solid policies that aid immigrants. However, these policies were increasingly criticized as the migrant population swelled. In response, New York City Mayor Eric Adams argued for a broader collaboration between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, claiming that policies restricting such communications were detrimental to public safety.
Los Angeles has also seen its share of migrants, albeit in fewer numbers. A crowd of over a hundred individuals gathered outside city hall on the morning of the ordinance vote, passionately urging the council to pass the law. Central American Resource Center’s executive director in LA, Martha Arévalo, voiced her opinion that this law was significantly belated.
The ordinance, primarily backed by individuals who themselves lack legal status, resonated with many on a personal level. A student from Harvard Law School and a University of Southern California graduate referenced his own experiences living under the constant fear of being separated from his family through deportation. He pleaded with the council to vote in favor of the sanctuary policy, hoping that others would not have to endure what he had.
However, not everyone was in favor. Some raised the issue that this could potentially lure more unauthorized migrants to the city, straining resources intended for tackling homelessness. As one resident mentioned prior to the council vote, while Los Angeles is welcoming, it cannot possibly be a sanctuary city for everyone wanting to come.
In response to the concerns raised, Mayor Bass issued an urgent statement, asserting that protections for immigrants contribute positively to the city’s strength and quality. Therefore, acting swiftly and decisively on this issue was crucial for the community’s betterment.