Los Angeles Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez is urging the city to clarify its immigrant sanctuary laws following an ICE enforcement operation in South Los Angeles where LAPD officers provided traffic control. Videos surfaced showing federal agents arresting individuals, raising alarm among community members. While LAPD claims they do not participate in civil immigration enforcement, the sanctuary law exceptions for serious crimes, such as human trafficking, create confusion. Councilmember Hernandez advocates for clearer guidelines amid ongoing tensions and fears within the immigrant community.
Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe, an ICE spokeswoman, said there was a 'ongoing investigation on human smuggling.' She did not provide details of the operation, such as how many individuals were arrested or how widespread it was.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said officers were in the Newton Division 'assisting with traffic control as Homeland Security was attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for human trafficking.'
Los Angeles' sanctuary law bars city employees and city property from being used to 'investigate, cite, arrest, hold, transfer or detain any person' for the purpose of immigration enforcement.
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez is calling on the city to create clearer protocols regarding its immigrant sanctuary laws after police officers were spotted during an enforcement operation.
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