LA County seeks to create ‘ICE-free zones’

As ICE detainments continue across the country and with the recent fatal shootings of Keith Porter in L.A. and Renee Good in Minneapolis, the County of Los Angeles is looking to limit ICE operations.  

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to have county attorneys return and draft an ordinance within 30 days that aims to prevent federal immigration-enforcement authorities from using county-owned or controlled facilities to conduct operations. 

According to the motion, the proposed ordinance would allow for signage to be posted on county sites to make it clear that the property is owned by the county and cannot be used for non-county operations. 

Additionally, the proposed ordinance would include language noting that the policy does not restrict or interfere with the execution of lawful judicial warrants or the enforcement of criminal law and does not limit the rights of any person or entity under state or federal law.

Authored by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis, the proposed "ICE-Free Zones" ordinance follows an executive order, made in October, by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, which limits immigration authorities from using city-owned property during their operations. 

Moreover, Supervisor Janice Hahn thanked fellow supervisors for bringing the motion forward and said that immigration-enforcement has essentially invaded cities and has created dangerous situations for communities.  

“We cannot allow our county property to be a tool for the work they are doing because, I believe, the work they are doing is dangerous and unsafe for the people of America,” said Hahn. 

Hahn also mentioned last year's ICE raid in San Pedro at Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center, a county park where three individuals were detained and county employees were kept from working. She also added the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. 

"Let that sink in, our federal government is freely, without cause, murdering its own citizens in broad daylight in front of witnesses and cameras," said Supervisor Linsey Horvath, also referencing the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, the shooting of two other men by ICE agents in Portland and the fatal shooting of Keith Porter Jr. in Northridge on New Year's Eve.