LA Council Approves Sanctuary City Ordinance

The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to designate the city as a 'sanctuary city', a move aimed at resisting President-elect Donald Trump's proposed mass deportation plans. The ordinance prohibits the use of city resources in federal immigration enforcement and bars city departments from sharing information with federal authorities. While California has been a 'sanctuary state' since 2017, Los Angeles seeks to reinforce its stance against Trump's immigration policies through this symbolic measure. Critics, including the Los Angeles County Republican Party, argue that such measures protect individuals who commit additional crimes after entering the country illegally. Despite the symbolic nature of the ordinance, local law enforcement already refrains from cooperating with immigration authorities, reflecting a longstanding policy in Los Angeles. The ordinance now awaits a second formal vote before becoming law.