Los Angeles County Considers Emergency Declaration to Aid Residents Affected by Immigration Raids

Los Angeles County officials are set to vote Tuesday on whether to declare a local state of emergency aimed at helping residents who have suffered financially amid ongoing federal immigration raids.

If approved, the measure would empower the LA County Board of Supervisors to provide rent relief for tenants who have fallen behind due to the crackdown. It could also unlock state funds for legal aid and other services.

Details of the Proposal

• Rent Relief Access: Residents would apply for assistance via an online portal expected to launch within two months, according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office.

• Potential Eviction Moratorium: The emergency declaration could pave the way for a local eviction moratorium, though that would require a separate vote by the board.

• Landlord Concerns: Housing providers worry the move could further strain their finances after COVID-19–era bans on evictions and rent increases.

Background

Since June, the Los Angeles region has been a focal point of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement, which has drawn protests and led to the deployment of National Guard and Marines for more than a month. Federal agents have targeted immigrants without legal status at locations including Home Depots, car washes, bus stops, and farms, with some US citizens also detained.

Officials Speak Out

Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn argued the raids have spread fear and destabilized households and businesses.

“They are targeting families, disrupting classrooms, silencing workers, and forcing people to choose between staying safe and staying housed,” Horvath said. “Declaring an emergency is how we fight back.”

Last week, the five-member board voted 4-1 to place the declaration on Tuesday’s agenda. The lone dissenting vote came from Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who said the raids did not meet emergency criteria and raised concerns about fairness to landlords.

“I’m sure we’re going to be challenged legally,” Barger said, noting that the county’s COVID-era eviction moratorium resulted in multiple lawsuits.

Landlords Voice Worries

Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, said landlords are still recovering from pandemic-era freezes that caused billions in lost rent and blocked annual rent increases.

“While housing providers are sympathetic to tenants affected by ICE enforcement, we are not aware of anyone unable to pay rent due to immigration enforcement,” Yukelson said. “If rent payments are once again deferred due to ICE activities, it will further deteriorate and reduce affordable housing in our community.”