Will Los Angeles Embrace Sanctuary Status in Response to Federal Pressure?

City skyline with tall buildings under a sunny sky.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass races to secure sanctuary city status before potential Trump presidency.

At a Glance

Mayor Bass aims to expedite a ‘Sanctuary City’ ordinance for Los Angeles
Move comes in anticipation of possible strict immigration policies under a Trump administration
Los Angeles City Council working to fast-track the law, which has been delayed for over a year
California Governor Newsom prepares for potential legal battles with federal government
Proposal would limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration officials

Bass Pushes for Sanctuary City Status

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is leading efforts to officially designate Los Angeles as a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. This push comes as city officials anticipate potential changes in federal immigration policy following President Donald Trump’s election victory. The proposed ordinance, which has been stalled in City Hall for over a year, is now being fast-tracked through the legislative process.

The sanctuary city law would prevent federal immigration officials from accessing city databases and using city resources for immigration enforcement. Bass, who was surprised to learn that Los Angeles was not already officially designated as a sanctuary city, is working closely with City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto to expedite the release of the ordinance.

With Trump headed back to the White House, Bass tells KNX that she plans to try to get the City Council to vote on a sanctuary city ordinance by the end of the year, and Bass apparently js surprised the city doesn't have one already on the books. https://t.co/X4TnKGDfgs pic.twitter.com/M8SEsXrm9Y

— Elizabeth Chou (@reporterliz) November 12, 2024

Existing Policies and State-Level Protection

While Los Angeles is not officially a sanctuary city, it already has policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Los Angeles Police Department has not honored ICE detainer requests since 2014. Additionally, former Mayor Eric Garcetti signed an order in 2017 preventing local authorities from assisting federal immigration officials.

“I was actually surprised about that because I thought we were a sanctuary city for years. So what the difference is is the policies that were put in place were not permanent policies. So I imagine that the council will be voting on sanctuary cities hopefully very, very soon.” Karen Base stated.

It’s worth noting that California is already a sanctuary state, providing a layer of protection for illegal immigrants at the state level. However, city officials believe that formalizing Los Angeles’ status as a sanctuary city will provide additional safeguards and send a clear message of support to immigrant communities.

Anticipating Federal Policy Changes

The urgency behind this move stems from concerns over potential immigration policies under a Trump administration. Trump has proposed strict measures, including completing the border wall and ending birthright citizenship. City Council member Hugo Soto-Martínez expressed the sentiment driving this action.

Mayor Bass has emphasized her commitment to protecting immigrant communities in Los Angeles. She stated that the city will stand with immigrants and ensure that families are not separated due to federal immigration policies.

Criticism and Concerns

Critics of sanctuary policies, including the Center for Immigration Studies, argue that these measures limit crucial information-sharing between local and federal law enforcement agencies. Jon Feere from the center stated:

Additionally, some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with perceived soft-on-crime policies, as evidenced by the recent recall of District Attorney George Gascon. This sentiment could potentially impact public opinion on the sanctuary city designation.

State-Level Preparations

At the state level, California Governor Gavin Newsom is also preparing for potential conflicts with a Trump administration. Newsom has announced an emergency special session to strengthen California’s legal response to potential federal actions. The session will address civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant family protections.

As Los Angeles moves forward with its sanctuary city plans and California braces for potential legal battles, the stage is set for a contentious period in immigration policy at both the local and national levels.