The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt a “sanctuary city” ordinance, aimed at shielding undocumented migrants from federal immigration enforcement. The law, passed with a 13-0 vote, prohibits the use of city resources or personnel to assist federal authorities in immigration matters.
The ordinance codifies protections for migrants living in the U.S. illegally, closing gaps in previous policies by banning the direct or indirect sharing of data with federal immigration agencies. Council members Traci Park and John Lee were absent during the vote.
The measure now heads to Mayor Karen Bass for her approval, and if signed, will go into effect within 10 days due to an urgency clause attached to the law.
This vote comes just two weeks after Donald Trump’s presidential election victory, in which he emphasized border security and promised mass deportations. Outside City Hall, immigrant advocacy groups rallied to support the ordinance.
“Immigrant Angelenos are facing their greatest attacks,” said Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of LA (CHIRLA). “The incoming administration has issued clear threats of mass arrests and deportations.”
In response, the Los Angeles County Republican Party criticized the measure, calling sanctuary policies unsafe. “A country without secure borders isn’t a country at all,” the party stated, arguing that such protections benefit criminals who have entered the country illegally.
While Los Angeles has previously restricted the use of its resources in immigration enforcement, this new ordinance formalizes those protections, aligning them with California’s 2017 “sanctuary state” law, SB 54, also known as the California Values Act.
Some state officials expressed concerns about the ordinance’s impact on public safety. Assemblyman Bill Essayli warned that non-cooperation with federal authorities could create dangerous situations for both law enforcement and the public.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) already follows Special Order 40, which has been in place since 1979, prohibiting officers from inquiring about immigration status or making arrests based on legal status. However, the new ordinance includes an amendment allowing LAPD to cooperate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving serious offenses, such as violent felonies.
Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who introduced the amendment, emphasized that it mirrors current LAPD policy and is designed to target individuals convicted of violent crimes who have been deported and re-entered the country.
LAPD’s newly appointed Chief Jim McDonnell has reiterated that the department will not engage in immigration enforcement, maintaining the department’s focus on public safety.
For many council members, passing the ordinance is about ensuring community trust and safety. “We don’t have a safer city if people are living in fear and hiding in the shadows,” said Councilmember Monica Rodriguez. “We want to ensure everyone feels safe and willing to cooperate with law enforcement.”