LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County officials will vote Tuesday on whether to declare a state of emergency that would empower them to assist residents financially impacted by federal immigration raids.
The proposed move would enable the LA County Board of Supervisors to offer rent relief for tenants facing financial strain due to the immigration crackdown. The declaration could also free up state funds for legal aid and other vital services.
Applications for rent relief would be accessible via an online portal to be launched within two months. While supervisors are discussing the potential for this declaration, it may also pave the way for a future eviction moratorium, which would necessitate a separate vote.
Some landlords express concern that this could impose another significant financial burden, following the extensive bans on evictions and rental increases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since June, Los Angeles has been at the center of a fierce dispute concerning immigration enforcement strategies employed by the Trump administration, which have led to protests and an increased police presence, including the National Guards and Marines. Federal agents have reportedly conducted operations to detain immigrants without legal status at various public locations.
Horvath and Supervisor Janice Hahn highlighted that the immigration raids, which have perpetuated fear among residents, disrupt families and businesses alike. Horvath emphasized, They are targeting families, disrupting classrooms, silencing workers, and forcing people to choose between staying safe and staying housed. She advocated for the emergency declaration as a form of resistance against these federal actions.
During the previous board meeting, the supervisors voted 4-1 to advance the declaration. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who voted no, believes the immigration situation does not warrant an emergency declaration and argues it may unfairly affect landlords.
Barger has suggested there could be legal challenges arising from the proposed emergency declaration. Issues surrounding the county's previous eviction restrictions during the pandemic resulted in numerous lawsuits.
Landlords have stated they are still recovering from financial losses incurred during the pandemic-related eviction moratoriums. Daniel Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, mentioned that while landlords sympathize with tenants facing hardships due to immigration actions, he did not know of anyone unable to pay rent because of ICE's activities.
He cautioned that allowing rent payments to be deferred due to immigration enforcement could lead to a decline in affordable housing in the region.
