LOS ANGELES, Calif. – In response to a surge of aggressive federal immigration enforcement raids targeting residents across Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved two motions authored by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. One motion, “Protecting the Constitutional Rights of Los Angeles County Residents” directs County Counsel to pursue legal action against unconstitutional immigration enforcement tactics, while the other, “Empowering Youth Through Know Your Rights Education for Civic Engagement” calls on several County departments to launch a comprehensive initiative to inform youth engaged in civic activism on their rights. 

 

Recent data highlights the urgency behind the County’s actions. Between June 1 and 10, ICE arrested 722 people in the Los Angeles area, according to UC Berkeley Law’s Deportation Data Project. A Los Angeles Times analysis found 69% had no criminal convictions and 58% had never been charged. Most were men, with nearly half from Mexico. Many arrests took place in public spaces like car washes and parking lots, where ICE is still required to follow constitutional protections. Advocates report increasing cases of warrantless detentions and excessive force, adding to community fear and instability. 

 

“These motions represent a decisive stand by Los Angeles County on federal practices that undermine the constitutional rights and dignity of our residents,” said Chair Pro Tem Solis. “Our communities are living in fear of warrantless raids, racial profiling, and unlawful detentions that are tearing families apart and threatening the very fabric of our democracy. At the same time, our youth are leading the charge for justice and equity — and they deserve to be equipped with the knowledge to safely raise their voices and avoid unjust criminalization or retaliation. Now is the time for bold, united action, and I am committed to standing strong with our communities.” 

 

The first motion, coauthored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, directs County Counsel to immediately explore all legal remedies available to the County to protect residents’ civil rights and prevent federal law enforcement personnel from engaging in unconstitutional or unlawful immigration enforcement. This includes addressing actions such as stopping, questioning, or detaining individuals without reasonable suspicion and arresting individuals without probable cause or a valid warrant. The County may initiate or join existing legal actions to hold federal agencies accountable and safeguard the constitutional rights of all community members. 

 

“Los Angeles County will not stand by while our communities are terrorized and our Constitution trampled. We will meet this moment with the full weight of our legal power and moral obligation,” said Supervisor Horvath. “No one should live in fear simply for existing in their own neighborhood. This motion directs our County to explore every legal tool available to stop unlawful enforcement actions and protect our residents’ rights. In Los Angeles County, we choose courage, compassion, and protecting constitutional rights — silence in the face of injustice is not an option.”  

 

The second motion, coauthored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, directs the Departments of Youth Development, Public Defender, and Alternate Public Defender, along with the Human Relations Commission and Youth Commission, to develop and implement a Countywide Know Your Rights education initiative tailored specifically for youth — particularly immigrant youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth of color. This initiative will provide culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate workshops and materials that educate young people on their legal rights during protests, how to navigate curfews and dispersal orders, trauma-informed safety strategies, and available resources to address and resist discriminatory targeting. 

 

“Young people have always been at the forefront of the great protest movements throughout American history,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Today our young people here in Los Angeles County are standing up to the attacks we’re seeing against our communities. We want to make sure that when they go out and protest—no matter their age or level of education—they’re fully aware of their rights and of the resources available to them.” 

 

To maximize outreach and impact, the County will implement a robust public communications campaign featuring youth-focused social media content, videos, and printed toolkits distributed through schools, youth justice organizations, and immigrant-serving networks. Plans also include integrating Know Your Rights education into existing youth diversion and prevention programs to reduce unnecessary criminalization related to civic activism.