LA County Board Advances 'ICE‑Free Zones' Ordinance Draft Amid DOJ Warning
The Los Angeles County Board unanimously approved Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s motion directing county counsel to draft an "ICE‑free zones" ordinance within 30 days that would bar use of county‑owned and county‑controlled property as staging, processing or operations bases for unauthorized civil immigration enforcement—while still allowing criminal enforcement and actions under valid judicial warrants—and would require uniform signage and a permit process after a disruptive October 2025 federal operation at Deane Dana Friendship Park. The Justice Department, via First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, warned local jurisdictions cannot exclude federal agents from public spaces and threatened arrests or charges for those who impede agents, and critics say the measure could put federal funding (reported by some outlets as up to $1 billion) at risk.
📌 Key Facts
- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s motion directing county counsel to draft an 'ICE‑free zones' ordinance within 30 days.
- The proposed ordinance would bar use of county-owned and county-controlled property as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases for unauthorized civil immigration enforcement, while expressly allowing criminal enforcement and actions carried out under valid judicial warrants.
- The draft would establish a permit process for civil immigration enforcement activities on county property.
- The ordinance would require uniform 'ICE‑free zone' signage on county properties.
- The move was prompted by an October 2025 federal immigration operation at Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center in San Pedro that disrupted public access and county operations.
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X warning that local jurisdictions 'cannot target and exclude federal agents from public spaces,' pledging federal agents will use any public spaces necessary and threatening arrests and charges, including against county employees, for anyone impeding agents.
📊 Relevant Data
In the first six months of 2025, Latinos accounted for nine out of ten ICE arrests nationwide, while Hispanics represent about 19% of the U.S. population.
UCLA Report Finds Latino Arrests by ICE Have Skyrocketed Under the Trump Administration’s Second Term — UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
According to a 2025 survey, three in ten immigrants, including about three in four likely undocumented immigrants and one-third of lawfully present immigrants, reported avoiding traveling, seeking medical care, or going to work or other public spaces due to concerns about immigration enforcement.
In 2025, 32 people died in ICE custody, marking the highest number of deaths since 2004, amid a record detention population of over 68,000 individuals.
2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in two decades. Here are the 32 people who died in custody — The Guardian
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s motion directing county counsel to draft an 'ICE‑free zones' ordinance within 30 days.
- Clarifies that the ordinance would bar use of county‑owned and county‑controlled property as staging areas, processing locations or operations bases for unauthorized civil immigration enforcement, while allowing criminal enforcement and actions under valid judicial warrants.
- Details that the move was prompted by an October 2025 federal immigration operation at Deane Dana Friendship Park and Nature Center in San Pedro that disrupted public access and county operations.
- Includes a sharp response from First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli on X, warning that local jurisdictions 'cannot target and exclude federal agents from public spaces,' pledging federal agents will use any public spaces necessary and threatening arrests and charges, including against county employees, for anyone impeding agents.
- Notes the ordinance would require uniform 'ICE‑free zone' signage on county properties and create a permit process for civil immigration enforcement activities.