LA Mayor Bass Defies Trump with Cash Aid and Order Against Immigration Raids

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took a bold stand on Friday, signing an executive order aimed at shielding immigrant communities from federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The directive not only bolsters protocols for city workers dealing with federal agents but also introduces cash assistance programs for those impacted by recent raids.

Bass emphasized the unpredictability of these federal operations during a press conference, stating, "We never know exactly when and where they're going to happen." Her order mandates that federal agencies disclose details of their raids, including who was detained, the reasons behind detentions, and the cost to taxpayers through a Freedom of Information Act request. This move is seen as a direct challenge to the federal government’s approach, prioritizing the protection of LA’s workforce and residents.

In a particularly striking measure, Bass announced plans to distribute cash cards, loaded with a couple hundred dollars each, to affected individuals through immigrants' rights groups. Importantly, these funds will come from philanthropic partners, not city resources. Meanwhile, the order also requires city departments to align with LA’s sanctuary city ordinance, ensuring compliance through training and clear protocols.

The Trump administration, however, didn’t hold back in its criticism. A White House spokesperson quipped that Bass’s actions sound like something out of a satirical news piece, arguing that recent enforcement efforts in California have targeted violent criminals and rescued children from illegal labor exploitation. They accused Bass of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens, a stance that has fueled heated debate.

Adding to the tension, Bass has openly criticized immigration raids targeting criminal undocumented immigrants in LA, joining other cities in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over what they call 'unlawful' operations. Just this week, nearly 100 National Guard troops and immigration officials descended on MacArthur Park, a known crime hotspot in the city. Bass personally intervened, demanding a halt to the operation, only to be rebuffed by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, who made it clear he doesn’t answer to her.

In a separate incident, a raid on a cannabis farm in Ventura County uncovered ten undocumented minors, eight of whom were unaccompanied, raising concerns about potential child labor violations. This discovery has only intensified the controversy surrounding Bass’s policies and the broader clash between local and federal authorities.

As this showdown unfolds, it’s clear that the battle over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles is far from over. Bass’s executive order is a defiant push against federal overreach, but it also risks deepening the divide between city hall and Washington.