Los Angeles County declares emergency over Trump immigration raids
Los Angeles County is declaring a state of emergency over President Trump’s immigration raids — a move typically reserved for natural disasters.
(NBC)- Los Angeles County is declaring a state of emergency over President Trump’s immigration raids — a move typically reserved for natural disasters.
The Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to allow taxpayer funds to help undocumented immigrants and their families pay for rent and legal aid if they are impacted by federal enforcement operations.
“I want our immigrant communities to know we are in this emergency with them,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We see them. We understand what they’re going through, and as their county government, we want to be in this with you, for you, and use every tool at our disposal to win this fight.”
The declaration comes as dramatic surveillance video emerges from Chicago, showing an ICE arrest that escalated into chaos. Homeland Security officials say an undocumented immigrant inside an SUV tried to flee arrest Tuesday, ramming into a Border Patrol vehicle. Agents smashed into the SUV to stop it, prompting a foot chase and a confrontation with a growing crowd.
Witnesses say tear gas was deployed after people began throwing eggs and rocks at federal officers. One video shows a man and woman running from the smoke, carrying a baby in a car seat.
“ICE has continued to come to our community to terrorize, intimidate, and create fear amongst our members,” said Ana Guajardo, executive director of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos: United Workers’ Center.
But some officials argue that Democratic leaders have inflamed tensions by challenging the administration. Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez defended the president’s law enforcement push, saying, “I absolutely support any effort to make our city safer. Even as Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brennan Johnson have said our numbers are trending downward, why wouldn’t we want to push those numbers even further? Why wouldn’t we want to accept the President’s help?”
Late Wednesday, President Trump promised a new federal “surge” in more U.S. cities to combat crime.
“If we didn’t have to fight all of these radical left governors, we could have had Chicago taken care of,” Trump said. “We’re going to save Chicago.”
Back in Los Angeles, one county official voted against the emergency declaration, arguing it wasn’t meant for that purpose and could invite legal challenges.
