The Los Angeles City Council has enacted new ordinances to ensure the safety of immigrants living in the city. On Tuesday (November 19), the council unanimously approved the 'Sanctuary City Ordinance'. No city resources or personnel may be used to enforce federal immigration laws under this. British news agency Reuters reported this information.
“We want to tell the immigrant community that we understand their fear,” said City Council member Paul Krekorian. We are with them.
Los Angeles, the country's second largest city, took such an initiative. The ordinance comes in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump's threat of mass immigration returns. As a result, provisions protecting immigrants are now included in the Los Angeles city code.
Pro-immigrants protested on the steps of City Hall before the ordinance was enacted. They are holding 'Los Angeles Sanctuary City!' He was standing with written placards. Protesters chanted in Spanish, “What do we want? refuge When do you want? Now.”
About 1.3 million immigrants live in Los Angeles. However, there is no specific information about how many of them entered the city legally. According to the city council, immigrants make up about one-third of the city's total population. The authorities are very concerned about the current situation.
Shiu-Ming Sher, deputy director of the California Immigration Policy Center, said the Trump administration's plan has created panic among immigrants. Many believe the National Guard or other agencies will be forced to return them. But I want to assure everyone that there is nothing to fear. We are united.
According to the nonprofit Immigrant Legal Resource Center, 11 U.S. states have taken steps to reduce cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to varying degrees.
Trump's transition team declined to comment.