Los Angeles County Considers Emergency Declaration Amid Immigration Raids

Los Angeles County officials will vote on March 12, 2024, to determine whether to declare a local state of emergency in response to ongoing federal immigration raids that have adversely affected many residents financially. This emergency declaration would empower the LA County Board of Supervisors to provide financial assistance, including rent relief for tenants unable to meet their obligations due to the impact of these immigration enforcement actions.

If approved, the declaration would enable the county to allocate state funds for legal aid and other essential services. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office indicated that an online portal for rent assistance applications would be established within two months. The motion may also pave the way for an eviction moratorium, although such a measure would require additional approval from the board.

Concerns about the financial implications of this move have been raised by local landlords. They fear that another intervention could further strain their already beleaguered finances, particularly following the extensive eviction ban during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since June 2023, the Los Angeles region has seen heightened tensions due to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, which have led to increased federal enforcement actions targeting immigrants without legal status.

Federal agents have conducted raids at various locations, including Home Depots, car washes, bus stops, and farms, resulting in the detention of numerous individuals, including some U.S. citizens. Supervisor Horvath, alongside Supervisor Janice Hahn, expressed that these raids have instilled fear within communities, disrupting families and local businesses.

“They are targeting families, disrupting classrooms, silencing workers, and forcing people to choose between staying safe and staying housed,” Horvath stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. She described the emergency declaration as a necessary step to combat these challenges.

The five-member board previously voted 4-1 to bring the emergency declaration to a vote. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the only dissenting voice, contended that immigration raids do not constitute an emergency under the current definitions and raised concerns about the potential unfairness to landlords. “I’m sure we’re going to be challenged legally,” Barger remarked, referencing the county’s past legal struggles regarding its eviction moratorium during the pandemic.

Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, highlighted the financial burden the COVID-19-related policies placed on landlords, costing them billions in uncollected rent while prohibiting annual rent increases. While he acknowledged the challenges faced by tenants affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, he noted that his organization has not encountered anyone unable to pay rent due to these enforcement activities.

“If local jurisdictions once again allow rent payments to be deferred due to ICE enforcement activities,” Yukelson warned, “this will lead to the further deterioration and loss of affordable housing in our community.”

As the situation unfolds, the vote on the emergency declaration will be closely watched, with potential implications for both residents facing financial hardship and landlords navigating a challenging economic landscape.