In a bold move that sets up a direct confrontation with federal authorities, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to establish so-called 'ICE-free zones' on all county-owned or operated property.
A Unanimous Stand Against Federal Enforcement
The motion, announced by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, is designed to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from staging, processing, or operating within these areas. The board has directed county counsel to draft a formal ordinance for consideration within 30 days.
"Los Angeles County will not allow its property to be used as a staging ground for violence caused by the Trump administration," Supervisor Horvath declared during the meeting, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. She argued that federal immigration enforcement has repeatedly escalated into extreme violence, accusing the government of freely murdering its own citizens.
Escalating Tensions and Violent Incidents
The decision follows a series of violent encounters involving federal immigration officials both in California and across the United States. The board's action is a direct response to an aggressive immigration crackdown launched by the Trump administration in June, which saw agents conduct raids on several downtown businesses.
These operations sparked nationwide protests and even led to the deployment of National Guard troops. Agents have detained individuals without legal status, but reports confirm that some U.S. citizens were also caught up in the sweeps.
Recent months have seen several high-profile incidents:
- In Minnesota last week, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent. Federal officials labelled the act self-defense and accused Good of 'domestic terrorism,' a narrative rejected by local leaders in Minneapolis.
- On New Year's Eve in Los Angeles, an off-duty ICE agent killed Keith Porter Jr. at an apartment complex, suspecting he was an 'active shooter.' Porter's family maintains he was firing a rifle into the air to celebrate.
- Just last Friday in Southern California, a 21-year-old protester suffered a fractured skull and permanent vision loss after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a non-lethal round at close range and dragged him by the neck.
Legal Clash and Wider Implications
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a fierce rebuke of Los Angeles County's proposed measure. In a statement, a DHS spokesperson called the plan "illegally illiterate," asserting that enforcing federal immigration law is a clear federal responsibility under the Constitution.
The spokesperson accused "Los Angeles sanctuary politicians" of releasing dangerous criminals onto the streets, vowing that federal agents would continue their work to make the city safe.
This policy shift in LA County is not an isolated act. Officials in the Bay Area are reportedly considering similar 'ICE-free' zones, following the lead of Chicago, which established the first such ordinance in October 2025.
The vote also comes after the LA County Board took the extraordinary step in October of declaring a state of emergency to provide rent relief for tenants who fell behind on payments due to the economic impact of the federal immigration crackdown.
This move by America's most populous county signals a deepening rift between local and federal government over immigration policy, setting the stage for a significant legal and political battle concerning jurisdiction, safety, and the limits of federal power.
