SoCal Mayors Demand End to ICE Raids | NBC Los Angeles
Southern California mayors are urgently demanding an end to ICE raids, denouncing the aggressive actions and fear-mongering tactics employed by the Trump administration. Led by los angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a coalition of 30 city leaders from Ventura to Downey shared accounts of community members living in fear. The mayors are deeply concerned about the impact on residents, local businesses, and the agriculture industry, citing disruptions to daily life and economic hardship. Huntington Park mayor Arturo Flores criticized the militarization, calling the measures a “fear-based tactic.” The leaders cited the disruption of daily life, economic hardship, and the impact on the workforce. tune into news Directory 3 for breaking developments and discover how these cities plan to support their communities amid these ongoing challenges. What’s on the horizon for affected communities?
Southern California Mayors Unite Against Immigration Raids
A coalition of 30 Southern California mayors, spanning from Ventura to Downey, convened Wednesday to condemn ongoing immigration raids and implore the Trump administration to cease what they described as fear-mongering tactics. The mayors, led by los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, shared accounts of community members impacted by the recent ICE activity.
While some cities have yet to experience direct immigration raids, several leaders noted the “psychological” presence of ICE within their communities. Bass stated that the unrest was “provoked by the White House,” noting the shift from a peaceful environment just days prior.
Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons reported that residents are now afraid to leave their homes or go to work following altercations between federal agents and protesters. Lemons added that the city’s swap meet is suffering, and street vendors are losing income. The Paramount City Council is reportedly establishing a fund to aid those affected by the raids.
Huntington Park Mayor arturo Flores,a Marine veteran,called for the withdrawal of troops,including 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms. He characterized the militarization as a “fear-based tactic” targeting immigrant communities. ”The people that you are here who have been called foreigners are not foreigners,” Flores said.
In Downey, Mayor Mario Trujillo reported ICE agents raided a Home Depot and LA Fitness Wednesday morning. He said an elderly man was detained in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help school while dropping off his granddaughter. ”they are creating havoc and fear,” Trujillo said, adding that restaurants are also being targeted. “This is not the way to provide public safety to the community. We’re calling on the administration to change course and do their job correctly.”
Ventura City Mayor Jeanette Sanchez-Palacio warned that the raids would negatively impact California’s agriculture industry, given the large number of undocumented farm workers. “When our workforce’s lives are in fear, the fields will go unharvested,” Sanchez-Palacio said. “The impact is felt not only at the local level, but it will also be felt at the national level.”
President Trump, despite widespread protests, maintained that his deployment of the National Guard saved Los Angeles. He wrote on social media that if he “didn’t `send in the troops’ to Los Angeles the last three nights,that once gorgeous and great city would be burning to the ground right now,” referring to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Bass as “incompetent.”
What’s next
The coalition of mayors plans to continue advocating for policy changes and community support to address the impact of immigration raids on Southern California cities.