The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted four motions late Tuesday and is ready to introduce a fifth next week in opposition to federal immigration raids and in support of those arrested and their families — even helping them find their pets.
The motions would funnel aid for food, meals and other services to those who may be undocumented that have been taken from their families, often leaving spouses and children without their family breadwinner and unable to buy food or pay rent.
All four measures were approved by a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger not present for the vote late Tuesday evening.
The first motion would launch a cash aid fund within 30 days to support workers and families impacted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have swept through Los Angeles County neighborhoods since June 6, resulting in more than 1,600 arrests.
Many raids involved arrests of allegedly undocumented workers on the job. These independent business men and women were taken, but their food carts, construction equipment and even pets were left behind often on the streets, the county reported. The motion will explore a program to recover and return work equipment.
It also promotes new ways to help immigrant families interested in adopting or fostering animals that ended up in animal shelters, according to Supervisor Hilda Solis, who authored the motions.
A second motion would encourage restaurant owners to enroll in the Restaurant Meals Program and expand access to those impacted by the immigration raids and the January wildfires.
Two other motions express the county’s opposition to federal actions that take away federal healthcare and social services from undocumented residents.
One motion directs the county counsel to take action against the federal government for restricting undocumented immigrants’ access to programs like Head Start, community health centers, mental health and substance disorder treatment programs, and block grants.
Another asks for a review of how cutbacks to Medicaid and Medi-Cal, as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will affect L.A. County residents.
About 41% of county residents rely on Medi-Cal, and 82% of statewide adults who rely on Medi-Cal are members of a working family. The industries with the highest percentage of Medi-Cal workers include agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining, restaurants and food service, and other services such as auto mechanics, hair salons, and private households. The passage of this bill has implications for the health and well-being of county residents who rely on this program, according to the county motion.
A report back on the impacts of the federal “Big Bill” will come from Department of Health Services, Department of Public Social Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Economic Opportunity and the Chief Executive Office. The report will assess the cuts in funding, increased costs and overall expected impacts to county departments and facilities.
Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn introduced a motion for the July 29 board meeting. It asks for creation of a county ordinance that would prohibit law enforcement officers from concealing their identities while on duty in unincorporated areas of L.A. County.
“Across the county, people are being pulled out of their cars, beaten, and ripped from their families by men in tactical gear with balaclavas (ski mask), no badges, and no names,” said Hahn. “That’s not how law enforcement in a democracy should operate. Residents have a right to know who is stopping them, questioning them, and detaining them.”
City News Services contributed to this article.