LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is set to vote Tuesday on whether to declare a local state of emergency in response to the economic hardship caused by ongoing federal immigration raids, a move that could pave the way for rent relief, legal aid, and potentially an eviction moratorium.
The proposed declaration comes amid what officials describe as a humanitarian and economic crisis triggered by months of aggressive federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
According to Anadolu news agency, the raids, which began in June, have targeted undocumented workers across Los Angeles from construction sites and car washes to bus stops and farms with local leaders warning that fear and financial instability are spreading through immigrant communities.
Emergency Powers and Rent Relief
If approved, the measure would empower county officials to distribute rent assistance to tenants who have fallen behind due to the raids. An online application portal for the funds could launch within two months, according to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office.
The emergency declaration would also make Los Angeles County eligible for state funding to provide legal support and community services for affected families. While the motion could be the first step toward imposing an eviction moratorium, such action would require a separate vote.
Horvath, who introduced the motion alongside Supervisor Janice Hahn, said the raids have “destabilized families, classrooms, and workplaces,” adding that declaring an emergency “is how we fight back.” Reports Anadolu.
Landlords Push Back
Landlords and property associations have voiced concern over the proposal, arguing that it could lead to another wave of financial strain after the COVID-19 pandemic’s rent freezes.
“This will lead to the further deterioration and loss of affordable housing in our community,” said Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles. He noted that housing providers are still recovering from “billions of dollars in uncollected rent” during the pandemic.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the lone dissenting voice on the five-member board, said the immigration raids do not meet the legal threshold for an emergency and warned the move could invite lawsuits.
Despite the opposition, local leaders say the situation demands urgent action to protect vulnerable residents caught between deportation fears and rising housing insecurity.
