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Why isn’t LA a Sanctuary City?

Posted on 11/18/2024
Sanctuary City
ONE BIG THING: MAKING LA A SANCTUARY CITY
 
What Happened?
 
After Trump's election, the immediate threat of mass deportation of law-abiding residents has become a life-changing reality, causing hundreds of thousands of Angelenos to fear that their families may be torn apart.
 
Wait… LA Isn’t Already a Sanctuary City?
 
The Sanctuary City policies we currently have in place come from an Executive Directive that Mayor Eric Garcetti issued in 2017, which unlike an official Ordinance, doesn’t have the full force of the law behind it. Just like “Executive Orders” issued by Presidents at the federal level, “Executive Directives” can easily be rescinded.
 
What's Next?
 
This Tuesday, however, City Council will finally vote on a real Sanctuary City law. This will ensure that city resources aren’t used to deport people and it’ll prohibit city officials from cooperating with the Trump administration to deport Angelenos.
 
Why it Matters 
 
This isn’t just about keeping families together and protecting our most vulnerable neighbors. 
 
Data from Trump’s previous presidency shows that fear of persecution from our government led to fewer people reporting crimes, accessing critical government services, and even students dropping out of school. When violent crimes aren’t reported and children aren’t educated, it hurts our entire community. That’s why this law is essential—not just for the hardworking undocumented residents who’ve called LA home for years, but for everyone who wants to live in a safe and supportive city.
 
Two More Quick Hits!
 
1. Weekly Cleanup Update
 
Did you know that our office contracts with the LA Conservation Corps to clean up our neighborhoods while providing valuable work experience to young people from marginalized communities?

Here’s what our team accomplished just in the past week:

Total weight of trash collected: 6,190 pounds
Locations cleaned: 12
Bulky items removed: 48
Weed abatement completed: 8,900 square feet

CLICK HERE for instructions on how to report illegal dumping, bulky items, graffiti, and more!
 
2. Hollywood "Connect" Day
 
We partnered with service providers and community organizations in Hollywood to host a resource fair for our unhoused neighbors to provide crucial services like:
 
🏘️Housing referrals

🏥Health care
📱Cell phones
🚿 Showers
🧺Laundry 
✅Benefits enrollment
➕And more!

These services are so important because they allow people to get the resources they need to get housed as quickly and smoothly as possible. For the over 250 people we’ve brought into hotel rooms in Hollywood through Mayor Bass’ Inside Safe program, these “Connect Days” offer an opportunity to prepare for the transition to permanent housing and access services that aren’t offered through the Inside Safe Program