On October 15, 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors took an extraordinary step, voting 4-1 to declare a state of emergency in response to a wave of federal immigration raids that have swept through the region since early June. The move, as reported by multiple outlets including ABC News and the Los Angeles Times, marks one of the most forceful local responses to federal immigration enforcement in recent memory, signaling just how deeply the raids have rattled the county’s more than three million immigrant residents.
Typically reserved for natural disasters such as wildfires or earthquakes, the emergency proclamation gives Los Angeles County officials sweeping new powers. According to the Board’s statement, the measure allows the county to mobilize resources, expedite contracting and procurement, coordinate interagency responses, and request additional state and federal assistance. The goal? To stabilize communities and protect those financially and emotionally impacted by the ongoing actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The raids, which began in June 2025 under the Trump administration, have been described by local leaders as both “indiscriminate” and “man-made emergencies.” According to KTLA, the Board’s proclamation states that the raids “have caused residents to be fearful of leaving their homes to go to work, take public transportation, and access county services.” The consequences have rippled through the local economy, as attendance at workplaces has dropped, and critical services—including schools, hospitals, and places of worship—have been strained.
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who introduced the emergency motion alongside Supervisor Janice Hahn, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “What’s happening in our communities is an emergency, and Los Angeles County is treating it like one,” Horvath declared. “Declaring a Local Emergency ensures that the full weight of county government is aligned to support our immigrant communities who are being targeted by federal actions.”
Supervisor Hahn echoed this sentiment, highlighting both the symbolic and practical importance of the proclamation. “It may not be a wildfire or an earthquake, but it is a man-made emergency — created by our own federal government,” Hahn said. “I want our residents to know that we are in this crisis with them – and I want us to have every tool at our disposal in this effort. For that reason, I think this emergency proclamation is not just symbolically important as a message to our residents, but critical to our response moving forward.”
Beyond the immediate response, the state of emergency could have far-reaching impacts for tenants and workers affected by the raids. According to the Los Angeles Times, the proclamation allows local agencies to expedite the hiring of government positions needed to assist tenants and lays the groundwork for a future eviction moratorium. Under such a moratorium, households that have lost income due to the raids would be protected from eviction for unpaid rent—though they would still owe back rent once the moratorium expires. There are, however, complexities: using the moratorium as a legal defense could inadvertently reveal a tenant’s immigration status to their landlord, potentially exposing them to further risk.
The economic stakes are enormous. A study from UC Merced, cited by LA Times, calculated that the mass deportation of California’s undocumented residents—who make up an estimated 8% of the state’s workforce—could create a staggering $275-billion hole in the state’s economy. The impact is particularly acute in sectors like agriculture and construction, where many immigrants work and where, as officials noted, the “climate of fear” has led to decreased attendance and productivity.
The Supreme Court’s involvement added another layer of urgency. On October 14, the Court issued an order that allowed what critics have called “indiscriminate” immigration stops to proceed, leading to thousands of arrests and setting off days of protests in Los Angeles and other major cities. Local officials say this legal green light for federal agents has only intensified the need for county-level protections and resources.
Community organizations and advocacy groups have welcomed the Board’s vote. Jonathan Coleman, spokesperson for the Garment Worker Center, told the Los Angeles Times, “This is a step in the right direction about materially showing up for the immigrant community in Los Angeles.” He added that many people he knows are afraid to go to work or even shop for basic necessities because of the raids, and that the county’s action will help them meet essential needs like food and medicine.
Angelica Salas, director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, was equally emphatic, saying, “There is a harm that we all have to confront, and maybe you aren’t an immigrant and you haven’t been impacted, but believe me, if we don’t do anything about what’s happening, then our economic well-being and the future of our region will be impacted.”
Local and state officials have also stepped up with additional support. In July, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a plan to provide direct cash assistance to people affected by the raids, distributing “cash cards” loaded with a couple hundred dollars each. According to Bass, this money is not coming from city coffers but from philanthropic partners, and the cards will be distributed by immigrant rights groups. Meanwhile, the city of Santa Ana created a $100,000 fund to help families cover essentials such as food, rent, and utilities.
Governor Gavin Newsom has also taken legislative action. In September, he signed a package of bills aimed at protecting immigrants in schools, hospitals, and other areas targeted by federal agents. One notable bill bans federal agents from wearing masks in California, making it the first state to enact such a law.
Despite the groundswell of local support, the emergency proclamation faces potential challenges. Critics, including some within the federal government, have warned of possible lawsuits or political backlash, and there are concerns about the long-term efficacy and legal standing of local protections in the face of federal enforcement efforts.
Still, for many in Los Angeles County, the declaration represents a lifeline. The Board has made clear that the state of emergency will remain in effect until they decide to terminate it, ensuring that the county can continue to deploy resources and protections as long as the raids—and their aftermath—persist.
As the region navigates this unprecedented crisis, the message from county leaders is unmistakable: Los Angeles is standing by its immigrant communities, determined to use every available tool to shield them from the fallout of federal enforcement. Whether this approach will blunt the long-term economic and social impacts of the raids remains to be seen, but for now, the county’s emergency declaration offers a measure of hope in a time of deep uncertainty.
