Los Angeles County Considers “ICE-Free Zone”
Los Angeles officials are exploring the idea of establishing an “ICE-free zone.” This zone would prevent federal immigration enforcement agents from using county-owned land as locations for staging, processing, or operating without explicit permission.
The proposal, brought forth by County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, will be reviewed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. They are looking to draft an ordinance within 30 days to support this initiative.
If passed, the ordinance would also require the installation of barriers and signs on county properties stating that these areas cannot be used for unauthorized civil law enforcement activities, including immigration enforcement.
There are concerns about potential federal lawsuits arising from this proposal, and the risk of losing over $1 billion in federal funding has been highlighted.
Interestingly, while federal laws typically take precedence, local governments still maintain authority over their properties and cannot be compelled to enforce federal regulations, which is the basis for previous “sanctuary” policies.
In October, another city, Chicago, created an “ICE-free zone” during a specific operation, leading local lawmakers to propose a bill that would restrict local police from arresting federal agents involved in such activities.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that any action taken against federal immigration officers could result in local governments losing all federal aid for the fiscal year. This funding might only be restored if the local authorities stop their actions and certify compliance.
Los Angeles County’s considerations come in the wake of a surge in protests against ICE, largely triggered by the recent shooting of Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot during an immigration enforcement raid in Minneapolis.
In the aftermath of Good’s death, an incident involving a Border Patrol agent in Portland drew attention, as the agent was accused of fatally shooting a couple during a traffic stop where they allegedly attempted to ram a federal agent with their car.
