Los Angeles County officials announced a local state of emergency on Tuesday in light of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the region. This declaration was communicated through an online release from Supervisor Lindsay Horvath’s office.
The emergency response comes as a reaction to increased ICE activity in Los Angeles County, which is home to a significant immigrant population, exceeding 10 million residents. With this declaration, counties can provide financial support to those affected by the raids, including rent assistance and access to state legal resources.
“What is happening in our region is an emergency, and Los Angeles County is treating it as one,” Horvath expressed in a statement. She emphasized that declaring a state of emergency allows the county to fully mobilize resources to support immigrant communities targeted by federal actions.
The notice, dated October 9, remains effective until the Board of Supervisors decides to terminate it. County officials have been instructed to implement emergency measures to protect and stabilize communities impacted by federal immigration actions.
Despite a possible legal challenge from the federal government, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to proceed with the emergency declaration to facilitate assistance for those in need.
Officials pointed out that the raids have fostered a climate of fear, disrupting daily life and negatively impacting the local economy. This includes lower workplace attendance, temporary or permanent business closures, and additional pressures on schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
Director Janice Hahn conveyed that they needed this state of emergency to combat the “fear, pain, and disruption” caused by ICE raids in their neighborhoods. She noted how some families are experiencing poverty due to the absence of family members who have been detained.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell further highlighted that the raids have intensified acts of race-based violence and hatred in communities.
Voting against the declaration was Board President Kathryn Berger, who cautioned that such actions might invite legal issues. “The federal government has the sole authority to enforce federal immigration law, and local governments cannot interfere with that authority,” she remarked, suggesting the need for meaningful immigration reform instead.
In response, ICE criticized the move, stating that the county’s decisions could lead to unsettling situations for law-abiding residents.
