The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to declare a local emergency due to the immigration raids, which will allow all departments to prepare to respond to the crisis and protect immigrant families.

“This means that Los Angeles County can act more quickly, and that we can better coordinate and use all available tools to support and stabilize our communities,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.

“We will not stand idly by as fear and chaos spread through our neighborhoods when our immigrant neighbors are attacked; our entire county feels it in our workplaces, schools, and homes.”

She said the emergency declaration will allow them to direct resources, request mutual aid, and collaborate with local and state governments to help families who have been destabilized.

This declaration, authored by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Janice Hahn, gives the county tools to protect immigrant families from detention, loss of income, and eviction, while coordinating a faster and more unified response.

“You are not alone. The County of Los Angeles understands you. We value you and we will fight for you, and I know this coalition will not make a mistake,” Supervisor Horvath said during a press conference prior to the vote.

She added that “today, we put the full weight of County government behind us.” of Los Angeles in protecting our immigrant communities. Today we declare an emergency, not out of panic, but with purpose.

“It may not be a wildfire or an earthquake, but it is a man-made emergency, created by our own federal government. ICE raids are spreading fear and confusion in every corner of our county.”

She said that just last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a county park in San Pedro and detained three people who were out for a morning walk and threatened to arrest county park staff who were simply trying to do their jobs.

“These ICE raids are illegal. They're not going after criminals. They're going after people for where they work, their accent, or the color of their skin. All across the county, people are too afraid to go to work, to take their kids to school, and now, probably even to take a walk in the park.”

She said her office is receiving calls from families about loved ones who never returned home from work, who don't know if ICE took them or where they were transported.

“We have families who have been left destitute, without a parent, and without any way to pay rent or put food on the table.”

She said it's important for the immigrant community to know that they are not alone in this emergency, and that's why they want to have all the tools available in this effort.

That's why," he said, "this emergency proclamation is not only symbolic as a message to residents, but crucial moving forward.

"I never thought we'd find ourselves in the situation of proclaiming a state of emergency created by our own federal government. In many ways, this is a sad day in the history of our county, but also a proud day, because I know we're on the right side."

ICE raids have skyrocketed in Southern California, detaining thousands of people and sowing fear in communities.

This situation has caused families to avoid going to work, school, and basic errands, which exacerbates economic insecurity and puts them at risk of mass eviction.

Bamby Salcedo, leader of the TransLatin@ Coalition, said that the emergency declaration is a historic step for the community.

“We will not stand idly by while immigrant communities are attacked and terrorized by the federal government, whose violations have separated families that also belong to the trans, gender-expansive, and intersex communities, who are also immigrants and part of this community.”

She said the emergency declaration not only allows the county to act quickly to keep people at home, but also to expand rental relief and ensure that every immigrant family and individual targeted by our federal government receives the support they need.

“We are around 100 local organizations working together to ensure our communities receive the best support possible.”

She added that today's vote is not just a formality but a declaration of values.

“We urge the Board of Supervisors to lead with courage and humanity, and to continue building with community organizations on the front lines.Together, we can ensure that Los Angeles remains a place where every family and every individual, regardless of their immigration status, has the right to live without fear. the federal government sows fear, local leaders must act, and that is what is happening.

“These raids don't just affect one person or family. These raids are destabilizing. They harm our communities. They violate their constitutional rights. Parents are afraid to go to work or take their children to school.”

She emphasized that families are losing their breadwinners and facing eviction.

“This emergency gives the county the ability to respond quickly, protect tenants, expand rent relief, and keep people in their homes.

“It sends a clear message: Los Angeles County stands with immigrants and defends democracy and our rights.”

The emergency declaration is a crucial step to ensure that no family loses their home due to an ICE raid and that county resources remain accessible regardless of their immigration status.

It will remain in effect until terminated by the Board of Supervisors.

The only dissenting vote

The only supervisor of the five-member Board of Supervisors who voted against it was Kathryn Barger. "Families across Los Angeles County are afraid, and that fear is real. I have spoken with members of our Latino community who live with the daily anxiety that immigration enforcement could separate families and destabilize neighborhoods. That fear deserves to be acknowledged with honesty and compassion."

However, he said that declaring a local emergency is not the correct or responsible way to respond. "Emergency powers exist for crises that have life-or-death consequences, like wildfires, not as a shortcut for complex political issues. Extending emergency powers for federal immigration enforcement undermines their purpose, invites legal challenges, and circumvents the public process." He added that potential legal challenges will also place an additional fiscal burden on Los Angeles County's already stretched budget. "We need real solutions, not symbolic gestures. I will continue to support targeted, community-focused programs, like legal aid and rental assistance, that provide meaningful relief to vulnerable families while respecting legal boundaries, protecting County resources, and preserving the public trust."