Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is expected to approve an ordinance this week that will require city police officers to use body-worn cameras during federal immigration enforcement actions. The new measure also aims to limit how federal agencies can use city property for such operations, a move to solidify protections for residents across the city.
The ordinance, anticipated to be signed by Mayor Bass at a City Hall news conference, formalizes her executive directive No. 17, which was issued on February 10. This directive instructs all city law enforcement personnel to record immigration enforcement incidents, identify on-scene supervisory immigration officers, and ensure proper reporting and evidence collection. This is intended to provide a clear record, especially in cases where claims of unlawful conduct might arise.
Beyond documentation, the directive also outlines specific protocols for the Los Angeles Police Department. LAPD officers are now instructed to deescalate potential conflicts and maintain clear communication with the public during these incidents. Furthermore, they are expected to provide aid and emergency medical assistance to any injured individuals present at an enforcement operation.
Looking ahead, the ordinance also directs city departments to prepare rules for imposing impact fees on property owners who provide federal immigration law enforcement with staging areas or site control within city limits. This means that if a property owner allows their land to be used for such operations, they could face city-imposed fees. City contractors bidding for projects will also be required to disclose any existing contracts they hold with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, adding a layer of transparency to city partnerships.
Mayor Bass's expected approval comes shortly after the Los Angeles City Council gave its unanimous backing to the ordinance. Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson initiated the move to codify the directive on February 13. Harris-Dawson pointed out that executive orders, by their nature, can be reversed by subsequent mayoral administrations. His motion underscored the need for "lasting accountability" by embedding the directive into city codes, ensuring its components are integrated into the city’s administration and municipal codes.
Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez also voiced her strong support for codifying the executive order. Speaking to her colleagues, Hernandez emphasized that the city must "use every single legal tool" to protect its immigrant communities, building upon the groundwork laid by the city's established sanctuary city ordinance. She highlighted the importance of Angelenos feeling secure accessing city services and facilities without fearing that their local government is helping facilitate federal immigration enforcement. Hernandez firmly stated that city land should not serve as a staging area for federal enforcement, nor should tax dollars fund surveillance of residents.
Mayor Bass was scheduled to be joined at the news conference by Council members Ysabel Jurado and Curren Price, along with Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Andres Chait and Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, among others, signaling a broad base of support for the new measure and its intent to solidify protections for the city's immigrant population.
