Los Angeles has taken a significant step by declaring a state of emergency in response to ongoing immigration raids occurring throughout the city. This decision marks a notable escalation in California’s opposition to policies set by President Trump.

In an effort to support residents affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, this bold initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance. The move also aligns with Governor Gavin Newsom’s broader political strategy as he eyes a potential run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

The decision has sparked criticism from some quarters, with Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing her disapproval during a recent interview on Fox News.

In a conversation with Sean Hannity, Bondi was questioned about the legality of California’s efforts to offer rent relief to tenants who have been financially impacted by the ICE raids. She responded unequivocally, stating that such measures are indeed illegal.

‘It is,’ Bondi said bluntly. 

Trump’s top law enforcement official then criticized Democrats for fundraising during the government shutdown. Bondi said that all federal law enforcement were ‘probably not getting a paycheck’ this week due to the stoppage.  

ICE told Fox News Digital that the ‘only state of emergency is the one the residents of Los Angeles face after electing officials who give a middle finger to the law.’ 

Spokesperson Emily Convington suggested that the money should instead go to legal residents who were affected by recent fires.

‘Perhaps the board should “supervise” funds to support law-abiding fire victims who still haven’t recovered, instead of criminal illegal aliens seeking refuge in their sanctuary city,’ Convington said. 

Demonstrators protest outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 

Anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protestors on June 12 as immigration raids spread though Southern California 

Attorney General Pam Bondi was asked Tuesday whether or not doing such a thing was breaking the law. ‘It is,’ she told Sean Hannity

‘While they publicly fear-monger, I would be shocked if they didn’t agree with ICE removing a child rapist from their neighborhood.’ 

Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a video bashing Trump’s handling of the situation, without endorsing the move by the county.

The clip was a commercial promoting Prop 50, Newsom’s attempt to re-district California to gain Democrats more seats in Congress.  

‘Donald Trump wants to take over American cities with the military. And he’s just getting started,’ Newsom wrote.

The video quotes Trump himself, suggesting that ‘American cities be used as training grounds for the military.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.  

The ICE raids taking place across greater Los Angeles have spread fear throughout immigrant communities, prompting many to limit their outings and stop going to work. 

Federal agents have rounded up immigrants without legal status from Home Depots, car washes, bus stops, and farms. Some U.S. citizens have also been detained.

The move allows the LA County Board of Supervisors to provide rent relief for tenants who have fallen behind as a result of the crackdown on immigrants

Funds for rent will be available to people who apply via an online portal that would be launched within two months, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office said. The motion could also be a first step toward an eviction moratorium, but that would require a separate action by the supervisors

The local state of emergency can also funnel state money for legal aid and other services.  

Under the order, funds for rent will be available to people who apply via an online portal that would be launched within two months, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office said. 

The motion could also be a first step toward an eviction moratorium, but that would require a separate action by the supervisors.

Landlords worried it could be another financial hit after an extended ban on evictions and rental increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The declaration was passed by a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger opposing.

Horvath and Supervisor Janice Hahn said the raids have spread fear and destabilized households and businesses. 

In late August, there were more than 5,000 arrests in Los Angeles as part of the crackdown. 

About a third of the county´s 10 million residents are foreign-born. Several cities in the region canceled their Fourth of July celebrations and summer movie nights as families stayed home due to safety concerns.

Officials in Los Angeles County voted to provide assistance to residents targeted by immigration raids through declaring a state of emergency

Demonstrators holding a Trump balloon march front the Los Angeles City Hall

Since June, the Los Angeles region has been a battleground in the Trump administration´s aggressive immigration strategy that spurred protests and the deployment of the National Guards and Marines for more than a month.

‘We have residents afraid to leave their homes, we have constituents contacting my office because their family members never came home and they don´t know if they’ve been taken by ICE or where they´ve been taken,’ Hahn said. 

‘We have entire families who are destitute because their fathers or mothers have been taken from their work places and they have no way to pay their rent or put food on their table.’

Last week the five-member board voted 4-1 to put the declaration up for a vote at its regular Tuesday meeting. 

The sole ‘no’ vote also came from Barger, who argued that the immigration raids did not meet the criteria of an emergency and that it could be unfair to landlords.

‘I´m sure we´re going to be challenged legally,’ Barger said. The county’s eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in multiple lawsuits.

Several people said they were against the emergency declaration if it would lead to an eviction moratorium during the public comment portion of Tuesday´s vote.

Landlords are ‘still reeling’ from the COVID-era freezes that cost them ‘billions of dollars in uncollected rent and prohibited annual rent increase,’ said Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles.

He said housing providers are sympathetic to tenants and their family members affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. 

But, he said, the association isn’t aware of anyone unable to pay rent due to immigration enforcement.

‘If local jurisdictions once again allow rent payments to be deferred due to ICE enforcement activities, this will lead to the further deterioration and loss of affordable housing in our community,’ Yukelson said Monday.