LA County Declares Emergency Over Immigration Raids; Eviction Moratorium Proposed
Los Angeles County has taken a significant step toward implementing an eviction moratorium to protect renters who have been financially hurt by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
In a 4-1 vote, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared an emergency in response to federal immigration raids. This is a measure typically reserved for natural disasters or conditions beyond the control of local officials.
The vote enables Los Angeles County to impose an eviction moratorium that would shield renters from eviction for failing to pay rent, provided they can prove they were financially impacted by the raids. Renters would still owe the back rent to their landlords and would be required to pay it once the moratorium expires. The emergency declaration also allows the county to request state funds to provide additional relief to those affected.
The proclamation stated that the tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents have “created a climate of fear, leading to widespread disruption in daily life and adverse impacts to our regional economy.”
The Trump administration maintains that the raids are lawful and intended to remove immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally.
Los Angeles has been central to Trump’s deportation efforts. In June, Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines to the city to secure federal buildings and protect ICE agents during the raids, leading to widespread protests across the county. Since then, the Republican president has attempted to deploy the National Guard in other Democratic-led cities, including Washington, Memphis, Chicago, and Portland, sparking numerous legal challenges.
“We will not stand by while fear and chaos spread throughout our neighbourhoods,” said Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, a co-author of the motion, before the vote. “When our immigrant neighbours are targeted, our entire county feels it in our workplaces, in our schools and in our homes.”
County officials estimate that the immigration raids could contribute to a loss of $275 million in gross domestic product (GDP) for the state of California, citing a recent economic study. The county board is considering increasing rent relief assistance as an alternative to a moratorium, noting that the latter would place hardships on landlords.
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