LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the Temporary Restraining Order that blocked federal agents from racially profiling and discriminating against Angelenos because of the color of their skin, their accent, speaking Spanish and their place of work.
“I want the entire nation to hear me when I say this isn’t just an attack on the people of Los Angeles, this is an attack on every person in every city in this country. Today’s ruling is not only dangerous – it’s un-American and threatens the fabric of personal freedom in the United States of America.
“Today, the highest court in the country ruled that the White House and masked federal agents can racially profile Angelenos with no due process, snatch them off the street with no evidence or warrant, and take them away with no explanation. This decision will lead to more working families being torn apart and fear of the very institutions meant to protect – not persecute – our people.
“Let me be clear: we will not allow the White House, nor the Supreme Court, to divide us. And to all Angelenos, I will never stop fighting for your rights, your dignity, and your safety, despite this administration’s efforts to threaten them. We will stand united.”
Mayor Bass has been fighting to defend L.A. families since the Trump administration first began its reckless immigration raids and federalized the National Guard in Los Angeles this summer. The White House continued raids following the Temporary Restraining Order and the City of Los Angeles has not stopped urgent action to protect immigrant communities. Mayor Bass signed an executive directive to support Los Angeles’ immigrant communities, including:
- Requiring all departments to bolster protocols and training in compliance with the City’s law prohibiting use of City resources in immigration enforcement and deliver preparedness plans.
- Establishing a working group with LAPD, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, immigrant rights organizations and community leaders to gather feedback in order to inform additional guidance for police officers when responding to immigration enforcement activities.
- Seeking key records from the federal government relating to the unlawful raids.
- Expanding access to resources from City Departments to immigrant families by leveraging each department’s designated Immigrant Affairs Liaison.
Additional actions taken:
Met with children who had to leave MacArthur Park because of a military-style operation designed to strike fear.
Visited businesses in Boyle Heights, Westlake, Pico-Union and Little Tokyo that have been economically impacted by this assault on Los Angeles.
Organized Angelenos, community leaders and elected officials for Shine LA to revitalize areas vandalized by the individuals that took advantage of the chaos created by the federal government.
Led more than one hundred labor, business and community leaders and immigrant rights groups calling for an end to immigration raids.
Helped organize direct cash assistance with no cost to taxpayers for families impacted by recent immigration raids by partnering with philanthropy and the private sector.
Hosted webinars to make resources and information available to impacted businesses.
Met with the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles and the Mayor of Morelia to find ways to work together in support of Angelenos who have been impacted by the reckless raids.