In a significant move, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on January 13, 2024, to establish regulations prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from utilizing county properties for raids and arrests. While the county cannot prevent ICE from operating throughout its jurisdiction, the newly approved ordinance aims to create designated “ICE-Free Zones” by restricting federal agents’ activities in public spaces, including parking lots and parks.
The Board’s decision reflects ongoing concerns about ICE’s impact on local communities, particularly in light of recent incidents involving arrests at public locations. The ordinance will implement signs stating that county properties “may not be used for unauthorized civil law enforcement, including civil immigration enforcement, as a Staging Area, Processing Location, or Operations Base.” In addition to signage, officials plan to erect physical barriers, such as padlocks on gates, to ensure compliance.
Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis spearheaded the initiative, emphasizing the need to protect public spaces from becoming sites of fear and violence. “L.A. County will not allow its property to be used as a staging ground for violence caused by the Trump Administration,” Horvath stated, advocating for public areas to serve as “places of care and safety, not fear.”
The urgency of this action stems from a series of ICE raids that have taken place since June 2023, resulting in the detention of hundreds of individuals. These operations have raised alarms within the community, particularly after a tragic incident on January 7, 2024, when ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen, during a raid in Minneapolis. This incident has sparked widespread protests and calls for accountability from both local and federal authorities.
The Trump administration has defended ICE operations as necessary for public safety, characterizing those arrested as threats to society. Conversely, immigration advocates argue that these actions target hardworking individuals, including U.S. citizens, and undermine community safety. The recent escalation in ICE activities, including arrests at locations such as bus stops and public parks, has fueled public outcry and prompted numerous demonstrations across Los Angeles County.
In light of these concerns, the proposed ordinance will also require any law enforcement agency to obtain a permit from the county prior to using specific properties for staging or processing immigration-related raids. County department heads are tasked with compiling a list of properties that could potentially be used for such purposes in the future.
The ordinance is modeled after an executive order enacted by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in October 2023, which aimed to prevent the misuse of public spaces for immigration enforcement. In Los Angeles, the motion specifically cited an incident at Deanne Dana Friendship Park in San Pedro, where federal agents conducted an operation leading to arrests and threatening county park staff.
As the Board of Supervisors moves forward with this initiative, there are expectations for cities within the county to adopt similar regulations. “Whatever action we take here can also trickle down to other municipalities,” Solis remarked, highlighting the potential for broader protective measures.
James Maddox, a member of the public who spoke during the Board meeting, recalled an incident where an ICE agent threatened protesters in Pasadena. He expressed hope that the ordinance would empower local cities to take a stand against federal immigration enforcement practices.
As the situation continues to evolve, the proposed ordinance will return to the Board for a vote in 30 days. The outcome will ultimately shape how Los Angeles County navigates the complexities of immigration enforcement and community safety in the months to come.
