Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced the relocation of SBA regional offices from Los Angeles after Mayor Karen Bass declined to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a post on X, Loeffler reacted to Bass’s expression of anger regarding federal immigration enforcement actions in the city. Bass stated that his office was coordinating closely with immigrant rights groups and did not support such actions.
“Los Angeles openly refuses to work with ICE, monitoring it alongside more undocumented immigrants than American citizens and small businesses,” Loeffler mentioned in her post responding to Bass. “Therefore, immediately and effectively, @Sbagov will begin relocating local offices from LA.”
“If cities don’t protect people, we won’t stay,” Loeffler added.
Amy Furr from Breitbart News reported that over 40 individuals were arrested during an immigration raid on Friday night, with ICE executing four search warrants in downtown Los Angeles.
According to NBC Los Angeles, “nearly 20 people were detained in a parking lot,” and federal agents were seen in two Home Depot locations.
Bill Essaylie, a lawyer for the Central District of California, told the outlet that the company had provided a search warrant, explaining that it likely involved the use of false documents for hiring.
Previously, Breitbart News reported that Loeffler had declared in March the SBA’s intention to relocate offices from sanctuary cities like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle.
“We are pleased to announce today that the agency will be relocating local offices from the sanctuary city that cuts access to illegal foreign loans and rewards criminal activity,” Loeffler stated in March. “We will collaborate with local governments that share this administration’s commitment to securing borders and ensuring safe communities, while focusing on empowering legally qualified business owners across the United States.”
