Los Angeles Mayor Discusses Immigration Policy

In a recent interview, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass skirted around the question of whether all undocumented immigrants in the city should be permitted to remain. During her appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” she criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to send thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles amid ongoing customs enforcement and protests.

Host Martha Raddatz brought up the issue of whether individuals convicted of minor crimes should face deportation, considering there are approximately one million undocumented workers in the area. “What will happen to those people?” she asked.

Bass argued that Los Angeles is fundamentally an immigrant city, saying, “We have an entire sector of the economy that relies on immigrant labor. It’s crucial for rebuilding, particularly after fire disasters.” She expressed concern about the fear created when people are apprehended by authorities. “We know that even legal residents and citizens can end up in detention,” she added.

Raddatz pressed on, asking if those individuals should be deported. Bass responded, “I don’t think so. I believe they should stay.” However, Raddatz emphasized that the mayor was discussing a substantial population of undocumented individuals.

Bass then advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, drawing from her twelve years of congressional experience. She reflected on past opportunities for bipartisan support in immigration reform that fell through. “The president chose not to pursue it,” she stated, shifting the blame toward the Trump administration.

As the conversation shifted, Raddatz recalled speaking with Border Patrol agents about their feelings concerning illegal immigration. She noted that they mentioned concerns about those trying to enter legally. In response, Bass emphasized the desperate circumstances that compel many individuals to undertake perilous journeys from Central and South America.

Although Raddatz pointed out the large number of illegal crossings under the Biden administration, Bass noted the need for compassion, highlighting the difficult situations many migrants face. She introduced statistics from Customs and Border Protection that indicated millions of border encounters during this time.

When asked if there was anything positive about the Trump administration’s recent border actions, Bass admitted she hadn’t engaged in discussions about immigration during that period, despite the National Guard’s presence in the city. “I want to work with the administration to resolve this issue,” she asserted, mentioning upcoming events such as the World Cup and the Olympics.

Bass concluded by expressing hope that the tensions of the past administration will diminish. The Pentagon recently announced plans to withdraw 2,000 National Guard troops from Los Angeles, prompting Bass to say, “I hope that this difficult period will come to an end, and we can return to a sense of normalcy.”