Los Angeles, Calif. – Amid a surge of ICE operations targeting First District communities, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis issued the following unequivocal statement: 

“This morning, my office received reports of immigration enforcement activity in Boyle Heights involving a deeply disturbing incident: two unmarked vehicles, believed to be operated by ICE agents, crashed into a civilian car with two children inside. Video footage shows agents deploying tear gas and forcefully apprehending an individual. Additional enforcement activity has also been reported in East Los Angeles near Salazar Park and in Baldwin Park, unincorporated West Puente Valley, and more in the San Gabriel Valley. In fact, just this afternoon, ICE was confirmed at Whittier Narrows, where they detained two individuals, and attempted to detain a member of the press, without identifying themselves, before ultimately being let go. 

Federal agents are targeting people based on their skin color and the type of work they do. Day laborers, car wash workers, street vendors, and other essential workers, many of whom helped carry us through the COVID-19 pandemic, are being wrongfully profiled and even unlawfully detained. This aggressive enforcement approach is fueling fear and trauma in our communities, placing a dangerous strain on our local resources, and provoking chaos rather than ensuring public safety.

That is why yesterday, I put forth an emergency motion that was approved by the Board of Supervisors. It directs immediate action to protect and support immigrant communities by expanding rapid response efforts, connecting impacted residents with critical services like mental health care and public benefits, and creating multilingual outreach tools. It also calls for a review of County-owned properties to prevent their use in immigration enforcement and authorizes County Counsel to join California’s lawsuit to the federalization of the National Guard against our communities.

We are strong and resilient, but no one should have to live under the constant threat and of militarized raids, racial profiling, and family separation. Los Angeles County will not stand by. I will not stand by. As Governor Gavin Newsom said, we cannot be complicit. 

If you or someone you know has been impacted, please contact the County’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for support.”