LA Mayor Karen Bass Signs Executive Order to Protect Immigrant Communities from Federal Actions

Historical Context of Sanctuary and Repatriation

• 📜 The plaza where the announcement is made has a history, including the 1931 forced repatriation of US citizens of Mexican heritage, serving as a parallel to current events.
• 🤝 In the 1980s, the sanctuary movement, led by Father Royer at the church across the street, declared the area a safe space for immigrants and refugees, a tradition Mayor Bass aims to continue.

Executive Directive to Protect Immigrants

• ✍️ Mayor Karen Bass is signing an executive directive to help the city's workforce and departments understand how to protect themselves and Angelenos from federal government actions.
• 🎯 The directive aims to develop preparedness plans with specific protocols for city workers interacting with immigration officials, ensuring they know their rights and how to abide by the law.
• 🏢 It will also help city workers understand how to provide protection for immigrants attending city events or on city property, and ensure safety for city contractors.

Addressing Federal Enforcement Actions

• ⚠️ The directive comes in response to weeks of unpredictable raids and arrests by federal immigration agents, which have caused fear and trauma.
• 🔍 The city is submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests regarding the dates and locations of federal enforcement activities to track where individuals are taken.
• ⚖️ The executive directive ensures that city departments have an immigration affairs liaison and that any encounters with federal officials are immediately reported to the Mayor's office for accountability and information dissemination.

Support and Information Dissemination

• ℹ️ The city will disseminate information on city services and assistance programs for families impacted by federal enforcement actions.
• 🗣️ The directive ensures that even people who contract with the city understand their rights when federal officials approach them.
• 📢 The goal is to make sure that city departments and workers are informed on how to deal with federal encounters and to hold the federal government accountable.