LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County officials will vote Tuesday on whether to declare a state of emergency that would give them power to provide assistance for residents they say have suffered financially from ongoing federal immigration raids.
The move would allow the LA County Board of Supervisors to provide rent relief for tenants who have fallen behind as a result of the crackdown on immigrants. A local state of emergency can also funnel state money for legal aid and other services.
Funds for rent would be available to people who apply via an online portal that would be launched within two months, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office said. The motion could also be a first step toward an eviction moratorium, but that would require a separate action by the supervisors.
Landlords worried it could be another financial hit after an extended ban on evictions and rental increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since June, the Los Angeles region has been a battleground in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration strategy that spurred protests and the deployment of the National Guards and Marines for more than a month. Federal agents have rounded up immigrants without legal status to be in the U.S. from various locations, including Home Depots and bus stops, causing increased fear among community members.
Horvath and Janice Hahn emphasized that the raids have destabilized households and businesses, stating, “They are targeting families, disrupting classrooms, silencing workers, and forcing people to choose between staying safe and staying housed.”
Last week, the board voted 4-1 in favor of moving the declaration forward to a vote. The dissenting vote came from Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who expressed concerns over defining the immigration raids as an emergency and the potential consequences for landlords.
As discussions continue, the outcome of the vote remains to be seen amidst the backdrop of heightened tension surrounding immigration practices in Los Angeles County.
