Los Angeles Declares State of Emergency Over Federal Immigration Raids

Los Angeles County has declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing federal immigration raids, marking a rare move typically reserved for natural disasters.

The declaration, approved by a 4–1 vote of the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, aims to mobilize resources to assist affected families amid widespread fear and economic disruption within immigrant communities.

Officials said the raids — reportedly carried out by masked federal agents — have targeted individuals who “look Hispanic” or speak Spanish, instilling panic among undocumented residents and disrupting daily life across the county.

“We have entire families who are destitute because their fathers or mothers were taken from their workplaces,”
said Janice Hahn, one of the supervisors who voted in favor of the measure.
“I want our immigrant communities to know that we are in this emergency with them. We see them, and we understand what they are going through.”

Economic Impact and Community Fear

Advocates say the immigration raids have devastated local economies, with a recent survey showing that average weekly earnings among immigrants dropped by more than 60%.

Many residents have reportedly stopped going to work for fear of being detained, while businesses in heavily immigrant neighborhoods have seen sharp declines in activity.

The raids, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), have drawn intense criticism since they began several months ago.

The uproar escalated after former President Donald Trump ordered National Guard troops into Los Angeles to support federal agents — a move local leaders condemned as “heavy-handed” and “inflammatory.”

Similar operations have since expanded to other Democratic-led cities, including Chicago and Portland, Oregon, prompting nationwide protests and legal challenges.

Dissenting Vote Cites Legal Concerns

While most county supervisors backed the emergency declaration, Board Chair Kathryn Barger cast the lone dissenting vote, warning it could lead to costly legal battles with federal authorities.

“We need real solutions, not symbolic gestures,” Barger said in a statement after the vote.
“I’ll continue to support targeted, community-centered programs like legal aid and rental assistance that provide meaningful help to vulnerable families while respecting legal limits and protecting county resources.”

The emergency order could pave the way for additional measures, including an eviction moratorium and tenant protections for residents unable to pay rent due to the raids.

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