Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is preparing for a significant clash with President-elect Donald Trump regarding immigration. On Tuesday, the city council passed a “sanctuary city” ordinance designed to prevent local resources from being used to assist federal immigration authorities.
The city’s move to become a sanctuary city aims to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The city council’s ordinance prohibits the use of local resources for immigration enforcement, including refusing to work with federal immigration agents. This measure also restricts the sharing of certain data between city officials and immigration authorities.
Council member Nithya Raman explained that the ordinance would “prevent federal immigration enforcement from being able to access city facilities or use city resources in the pursuit of immigration enforcement.” The ordinance will take effect once it is signed by Mayor Karen Bass.
In addition to the city council’s action, the Los Angeles public school system has also reinforced its stance as a sanctuary for undocumented immigrants and LGBTQ students. The school district passed a series of emergency resolutions to protect students, which include offering training for teachers on how to handle interactions with immigration authorities.
Jackie Goldberg, president of the school board, emphasized the district’s commitment, stating, “We’re not going to be running in fear. We’re going to fight you, every inch of the way.” The resolutions are a direct response to what the district sees as an incoming anti-immigrant and LGBTQ stance from the Trump administration.
President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to be sworn in in two months, has promised large-scale deportations upon taking office. His appointed “border czar,” Tom Homan, has warned sanctuary cities to “get the hell out of the way” of federal immigration enforcement. Homan has also emphasized that the sanctuary designations will not stop federal actions, saying, “Nothing will stop us from deporting migrant criminals. We’re going to do the job with you, or without you.”
The sanctuary city movement has been gaining traction across the United States for over a decade. While the term itself is not legally defined, it refers to cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Various cities, such as Boston and New York, have taken similar steps, committing not to use local resources for immigration enforcement.
As the standoff between Los Angeles and the Trump administration looms, it’s clear that the city is willing to stand firm in its commitment to protect immigrants and vulnerable communities within its borders.
