LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with an ordinance designating all county-owned property as “ICE-free” zones. The motion, introduced by Supervisors Lindsay Horvath and Hilda Solis, directs county counsel to draft legislation within 30 days that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from using county facilities—including parks, hospitals, and administrative buildings—as staging grounds or processing centers for operations.
The move comes amid heightened tensions between local officials and federal law enforcement following a series of high-profile immigration raids that county leaders describe as increasingly violent. The motion specifically cites a June 6, 2025, operation at a downtown Los Angeles fashion warehouse where federal agents detained dozens of workers. During the subsequent standoff with protesters, agents reportedly deployed flash-bang grenades and less-lethal munitions, resulting in severe injuries to at least one demonstrator.
“Los Angeles County will not allow its property to be used as a staging ground for violence,” Supervisor Horvath stated during the meeting. “Our federal government is freely, without cause, murdering its own citizens in broad daylight.” Horvath referenced the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good, a legal observer in Minnesota, by a federal agent as a driving factor for the urgent local action.
The proposed ordinance would require “ICE-free” signage at county properties and establish a permitting process for civil enforcement operations, though it would not restrict the execution of judicial warrants for criminal matters. The measure mirrors similar policies recently enacted in Chicago and by the City of Los Angeles.
Federal officials have pushed back strongly against the county’s jurisdiction to limit their operations. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli criticized the board’s decision, asserting that local governments cannot bar federal law enforcement from public spaces. “Anyone who attempts to impede our agents will be arrested and charged, including county employees,” Essayli warned in a public statement. “We have already charged more than 100 individuals for similar conduct.”
Legal analysts suggest the ordinance could trigger significant court battles. Federal law generally supersedes local statutes regarding immigration enforcement, and the Trump administration has previously threatened to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE. Los Angeles County currently receives over $1 billion in annual federal assistance, which could be jeopardized if the Department of Homeland Security deems the county in violation of federal cooperation statutes.
Beyond the June warehouse incident, the motion also highlighted an October 2025 raid at Deane Dana Friendship Park in San Pedro. County officials allege that federal agents arrested three individuals at the park and threatened to arrest county parks staff who attempted to intervene. Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes the park, supported the motion, arguing that public spaces must remain safe and accessible for all residents without fear of federal intervention.
“You do not have the right to come in and harass people without a warrant,” Supervisor Solis added. “If you use our property to stage, then you need to show us documentation as to why.”
The drafted ordinance is expected to return to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote in mid-February.
