ICE plans LA enforcement amid protests; city says 10% of residents undocumented – Washington Examiner
In Los Angeles, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly preparing for a importent immigration enforcement action amid ongoing protests against deportations. These protests, which began on February 2, have created widespread disruptions and involved students walking out of classes. City officials estimate that 10% of the city’s residents are undocumented, which raises concerns about the potential economic impact of mass deportations.
the protests are marked by demonstrators carrying Mexican flags, and tensions escalated when a teenage protester was stabbed, drawing public attention and concern. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized that violence will not be tolerated and stressed the city’s commitment to supporting peaceful protests while ensuring public safety.
Los Angeles, designated as a sanctuary city, prohibits local resources from being used for immigration enforcement and restricts cooperation with federal authorities. City Council member Hugo Soto-Martinez highlighted the importance of undocumented immigrants to the local economy, noting that their potential removal could considerably impact labor costs and small businesses. Higher wages could be a result of losing this demographic, affecting services and rental demand in the city.
ICE plans LA enforcement amid protests; city says 10% of residents undocumented
(The Center Square) – One week into anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are preparing for a “large scale” immigration enforcement action in the city, according to documents leaked to the Los Angeles Times.
City officials have said one in 10 residents are in the country illegally, meaning mass deportations could have a significant effect on the local economy.
The ongoing protests, where many protestors carry Mexican flags, started on Feb. 2, shutting down freeways and resulting in police injuries.
On Friday, when students across the city walked out of classrooms to join the protests, a Hispanic teenager allegedly stabbed an unidentified 17-year old protester who is currently in critical condition.
“Violence of any kind will not be tolerated. LAPD has responded and is working to keep Angelenos in the area safe,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a statement on the stabbing. “The City of Los Angeles supports free speech and the right to peacefully protest — but those who commit crimes will be held accountable.”
The City of Los Angeles has declared itself a sanctuary city, meaning city resources cannot be used for immigration enforcement, and city staff cannot cooperate with federal authorities engaged in immigration enforcement. The sanctuary city ordinance also bans the direct and indirect sharing of data with federal immigration authorities.
In support of the sanctuary city ordinance, Los Angeles City Council member Hugo Soto-Martinez said one in 10 residents are illegal immigrants.
Should the city lose one in 10 residents, costs for labor could rise significantly, as illegal immigrants are paid an average of $13 per hour in cash, which is below the state minimum wage of $16.50 per hour and excludes both taxes and worker protections.
Higher wages could have a major impact on local small businesses that rely on migrant labor to remain competitive with large corporate competitors that can afford to invest in automation. Losses in demand for services, from both higher wage prices passed on to consumers and a loss in population, could somewhat offset major labor cost increases, while rents for most housing could go down due to less demand for the city’s more affordable homes.
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