Los Angeles County is considering a proposal to establish “ICE-free zones” on county-owned properties.
On Tuesday the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed county attorneys to draft an ordinance to restrict the use of county property by federal immigration enforcement agencies, specifically the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The proposal, introduced by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis, aims to prevent ICE from using county facilities as staging areas, processing centers, or operations bases. The move comes in response to increased immigration enforcement activities under the Trump administration, which have raised concerns about violence and the safety of public spaces. Supervisor Horvath emphasized that “Los Angeles County will not allow its property to be used as a staging ground for violence caused by the Trump administration,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
The ordinance, if adopted, would require clear signage at county properties indicating their status as “ICE-free zones” and would establish a permit process for any civil enforcement operations. It would also ensure that lawful criminal law enforcement and the execution of valid judicial warrants are not hindered. Supervisor Solis stated, “You don’t have the right to come in and harass people without a federal warrant,” highlighting the importance of protecting residents from unauthorized actions.
The motion follows several incidents involving ICE in Los Angeles County, including a raid at Deane Dana Friendship Park in San Pedro, which disrupted public access and county operations. The proposal is part of a broader effort to ensure public spaces remain safe and accessible, free from the fear of immigration enforcement. The county attorneys are expected to present the draft ordinance for consideration within 30 days.
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