Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said the federal government is “out of control,” as immigration raids continue to sweep the L.A. region, despite a court order banning detention stops without “reasonable suspicion.”
On Tuesday, a woman was detained by federal immigration agents in Cypress Park, where witnesses said the agents did not have a warrant. Other raids have taken place near multiple Home Depot locations across the city. Last week, dozens of immigration enforcement agents positioned themselves outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo — about a mile from several Boyle Heights schools.
Many constituents in Council District 14 — which stretches from Boyle Heights to Eagle Rock and includes Little Tokyo — are asking what concrete actions their representative is taking beyond condemning the raids.
“This isn’t a regular administration stepping up immigration enforcement because of some concerns based on data. This is basically a dry run for authoritarianism,” said Manuel Pastor, Director of USC Equity Research Institute. “I think it’s right to hold elected leaders to account, but I think it’s important to be realistic about what they can actually do.”
So what can local officials actually do? And what is Jurado doing?
Jurado’s response: Reports, funding requests, legal aid
Since the raids, Jurado has taken the following actions:
- Requested a report on external funding opportunities for graffiti removal and other needs, focusing on immigrant-owned businesses impacted by civil disturbance in areas like Little Tokyo. The report identified $650,000 in the Economic Development Trust Fund, as well as $3.2 million in CARES Act Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
- Asked the city attorney to pursue legal action against unconstitutional searches, seizures, and detentions. Soon after, the city of L.A. joined a federal lawsuit that led to the court order banning racial profiling during immigration stops.
- Called for more funding for RepresentLA, a private-public partnership providing legal aid to undocumented immigrants facing removal. After review, city staff found there were no eligible funding sources available. Another review is forthcoming.
- Requested a report on what security infrastructure, protocols, and legal measures are needed to protect city facilities from unlawful entry by federal entities. The item is still under review.
- Is urging the LAPD and the city’s department of transportation to explore waiving vehicle towing and impound storage fees for people who were forced to leave behind their vending carts, cars, or bicycles after being detained by federal immigration agents. The item is under review.
- Is pushing for reports from city departments, including the Los Angeles Public Library and Workforce Development, to learn how federal immigration enforcement has impacted summer participation and access to services. The item is under review.
What local government can actually do
Experts say local officials have limited but meaningful tools, especially in providing aid to people already detained.
“If you’re one of the people who have had your equipment confiscated by ICE and the county is going to step in and help you restore your ability to make an income, that makes a big difference,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
L.A. County, for example, has spurred efforts to establish equipment return program for those who have been detained.
But Pastor warns against expecting local solutions to match the scale of federal enforcement: “Saving someone’s vendor cart seems small in the light of that threat, and part of what everyone is facing is the need to be clear-eyed about the magnitude of this crisis.”
Making your voice heard
Many Angelenos frustrated by the pace of city-level response are wondering how to hold their representatives accountable.
Think your elected leader could be doing more? Or want to make your voice heard? Here’s who represents you on the Eastside and how to reach them.
Why we’re tracking this
A survey of more than 200 people conducted by Boyle Heights Beat shortly after the raids began in June found that federal immigration raids were the top community safety concern. Respondents wanted to know what elected leaders were doing in response.
We reached out to local, state and federal officials representing the Eastside and asked what concrete actions they’ve taken to support families, businesses, and other groups affected by the raids, as well as how they’ve addressed reports of aggressive, potentially unconstitutional or discriminatory law enforcement actions. We’ll continue tracking leaders’ actions and their impact on residents.