Los Angeles County declares emergency over Trump administration ICE raids

Los Angeles County leaders declared a local state of emergency in the area on Tuesday, according to local officials.

News of the proclamation was shared in a press release online by LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office.

The measure was said to be a response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in LA County, which is home to more than 10 million people and one of the largest immigrant populations in the United States.

The county can now offer financial support to residents affected by the raids, including rental assistance and access to state funds for any legal assistance.

“What is happening in our communities is an emergency, and Los Angeles County is treating it like one,” Horvath said in the statement.

“Declaring a Local Emergency ensures that the full weight of State government is ready to support our immigrant communities who are the target of federal actions,” he added.

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The announcement dated October 9 stated that it would remain in effect until terminated by the Board of Supervisors.

State departments have been ordered to “take immediate action necessary to protect and stabilize communities affected by federal immigration actions,” it said.

County supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of declaring an emergency to mobilize county resources and support affected communities despite potential legal challenges from the federal government.

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Police respond to anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles in June. LA County declared a state of emergency on Tuesday due to a recent increase in ICE raids in the city. (Oliya Scootercaster/FreedomNewsTV)

County officials claimed the raids “created a climate of fear, led to widespread disruption of daily life, and resulted in negative impacts on our regional economy, including reduced workplace attendance, temporary or permanent business closures, and increased pressure on schools, hospitals, and houses of worship.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn said the emergency declaration was necessary to respond to “the fear, pain and disorder that these ICE raids have created in our community.”

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“We have families who are poor because their fathers or mothers were removed from their workplaces,” he said. “I want our immigrant communities to know that we are with them in this emergency,” he added.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell also added that the raids emboldened others to commit acts of race-based violence and hate.

A protester holds a sign in front of federal agents at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on Monday, July 7. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

One of the votes opposing the declaration came from Board President Kathryn Barger, who warned that the district’s action could lead to legal ramifications.

“The federal government alone has the authority to enforce federal immigration law, and local governments cannot impede that authority,” Barger said. “Instead, we must advocate for meaningful immigration reform that is fair, pragmatic, and creates legal pathways for those who contribute to our communities.”

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“The only emergency that Los Angeles residents face after electing officials who put the middle finger to the law is a state of emergency,” ICE said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Perhaps the board should ‘oversee’ funds to support law-abiding fire victims who are still not recovering, rather than criminal illegal aliens seeking sanctuary in their sanctuary city. While they are publicly fear-mongering, I would be shocked if they didn’t agree to ICE removing a child rapist from their neighborhood,” added spokeswoman Emily Convington.

Fox News Digital has also reached out to Horvath’s office for comment.