LA County Supervisors Approve ‘ICE-Free Zones’ on County Property, Defying Federal Enforcement

In yet another display of California’s entrenched sanctuary policies and the Democrats’ penchant to engage in political theater, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion on Tuesday to designate all county-owned and controlled properties as “ICE-Free Zones.” With this approval, LA County’s supervisors appear more interested in political posturing than in upholding the law or protecting American citizens.

Sponsored by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis, the directive instructs county attorneys to draft an ordinance within 30 days that would prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using these public spaces as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for civil immigration enforcement without explicit authorization. The proposal also calls for posting prominent signage declaring these zones off-limits to federal agents and potentially establishing reporting protocols for county employees who witness unauthorized activity.

Horvath framed the move as necessary to prevent county property from becoming “a staging ground for violence caused by the Trump administration,” while Solis emphasized protecting individuals from warrantless “harassment.” This comes amid ongoing federal immigration operations under President Trump’s renewed enforcement priorities, including reported incidents in Southern California communities that have heightened tensions.

This latest escalation fits squarely into California’s long pattern of obstructing federal immigration law. Los Angeles County has operated as a de facto sanctuary jurisdiction for years, refusing routine cooperation with ICE and prioritizing the protection of illegal immigrants over public safety and the rule of law. Such policies have contributed to repeated crises, including the violent riots that erupted across Los Angeles in June 2025 following large-scale ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens.

At the time, the Globe reported:

Los Angeles Police reported 338–370 arrests for crimes including vandalism, looting, and attempted murder with Molotov cocktails. The Department of Homeland Security documented over 1,000 rioters attacking a federal building, while few news outlets apart from Fox News broadcast images and live video of burning vehicles and shattered storefronts across downtown Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton.

During the violent riots, California Democrats downplayed the violence against federal law enforcement.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass claimed “no violence or vandalism” occurred, a statement that crumbles under scrutiny. Yet Bass herself imposed a citywide curfew on June 10, 2025, to address widespread looting and vandalism, contradicting her own rhetoric.

From an honest perspective, these denials and the related actions of the LA County Board of Supervisors, could be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public to protect sanctuary city policies, deflect blame from local and state governance, and oppose President Trump’s immigration enforcement. These are not mere missteps, but calculated lies to rewrite reality.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli swiftly condemned the supervisors’ action on X, delivering a stern warning that underscores the federal government’s role in enforcing federal immigration law. In his post, Essayli stated: “Stop misleading the public. Local jurisdictions cannot target and exclude federal agents from public spaces. Your county counsel should have explained that to you. We will use any public spaces necessary to enforce federal law. Anyone who attempts to impede our agents will be arrested and charged, including county employees. We have already charged more than 100 individuals for similar conduct.”

Stop misleading the public. Local jurisdictions cannot target and exclude federal agents from public spaces. Your county counsel should have explained that to you. We will use any public spaces necessary to enforce federal law.

Anyone who attempts to impede our agents will be… https://t.co/mjoWSGq2cE

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) January 13, 2026

The reality is that local governments lack the power to bar federal agents from public spaces or interfere with lawful enforcement operations. The Department of Justice has previously pressed California sheriffs—including LA County’s Robert Luna—for information on noncitizen inmates, only to face resistance in sanctuary strongholds. Violating federal law risks not only legal challenges but also jeopardizes billions in federal funding that California counties heavily rely on.

On Wednesday, President Trump affirmed on Truth Social that sanctuary jurisdictions will be stripped of federal funding

“EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY FIRST, NO MORE PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STATES FOR THEIR CORRUPT CRIMINAL PROTECTION CENTERS KNOWN AS SANCTUARY CITIES,” the president wrote.

The LA County Board of Supervisors’ proposal echoes similar measures in other liberal jurisdictions, like Chicago’s ICE-free declarations and the City of Los Angeles’ own strengthened protocols last year barring ICE from city property. Yet, these symbolic gestures do little to address root issues and instead signal to illegal immigrants that California remains a haven, potentially encouraging further illegal crossings and straining local resources.