The Los Angeles City Council is set to finalize and adopt a “sanctuary city” ordinance on Wednesday, reinforcing policies that prevent city resources or personnel from aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts.
In a preliminary vote on November 19, council members unanimously approved the ordinance 13-0, but minor changes required a second vote before it could take effect.
The ordinance aims to strengthen protections for undocumented migrants by explicitly prohibiting the sharing of data—either directly or indirectly—with federal immigration authorities.
“We have been a pro-immigrant city for a number of years, we know that there is a target on our back from this president-elect, and what we are doing here is we are hardening our defenses,” Councilman Bob Blumenfield said.
Supporters argue that the measure will codify existing protections, closing gaps in previous policies and safeguarding immigrant communities against federal enforcement actions.
This move comes in response to heightened concerns following former President Donald Trump’s election victory, which included campaign promises to bolster border security and deport undocumented immigrants.
The ordinance aligns with similar measures taken by other jurisdictions seeking to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, ensuring that local agencies prioritize community trust and safety over immigration status.
