Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez introduced a series of legislative measures Tuesday addressing President Trump’s threats of mass deportations and worksite raids.
One of the measures he introduced is a citywide know-your-rights campaign. The campaign would inform immigrants about their rights if they are detained or questioned by immigration agents, and how to protect themselves against discrimination. L.A. residents would also learn about the city’s sanctuary policies, which prevent city resources from being used for immigration enforcement. Materials would be available in multiple languages.
Another measure would apply to local businesses, which would be encouraged to report worksite enforcement actions by federal immigration officials to the city and ensure their workers receive legal support.
In another, Los Angeles International Airport officials would be directed to set aside space for non-profit legal service providers in the airport. These would assist travelers impacted by potential travel bans.
The city would also ask the state to increase funding for deportation defense legal providers, and find ways to maintain the financing of immigration legal services that receive federal grants; the Trump administration recently attempted to freeze these funds.
In a statement, Soto-Martinez said that for him, it’s personal.
“My own parents were undocumented, and they built a life here without the constant fear that a trip to work or taking me to school could tear our family apart. Every Angeleno deserves that same safety and dignity,” he said.
“This legislation sends a clear message: Los Angeles will not be complicit in Trump’s dehumanizing agenda—we will fight back and protect our community.”
Trump’s promised immigration crackdowns are resonating in Los Angeles, where roughly one in three Angelenos are born outside the United States. City officials say more than a million undocumented workers play a vital role in the local economy. The measures will go to a city committee before they are brought in front of the full City Council for a vote.