LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ vote Tuesday in support of programs that protect some immigrants from deportation drew hostility from supporters of President-elect Trump, opponents of illegal immigration and others who urged officials to focus instead on the homeless, veterans and unemployed Americans.
The board voted unanimously to support comprehensive federal immigration reform and work to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents, two federal policies for undocumented immigrants adopted during the Obama administration.
It also agreed to back a bipartisan bill dubbed the BRIDGE Act, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act, designed to provide a backstop should DACA be eliminated by the incoming administration.
The motion to add these policies to the county’s legislative agenda was co-authored by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Kathryn Barger.
“Even though there has been a myriad of proposed legislation pertaining to immigration, our immigration system remains broken,” the motion stated. [Read the motion here.]
Barger has consistently argued for trying to solve the problem at the federal level.
The vote was condemned by more than a dozen speakers, some of whom declined to give their names. Prior to the meeting, a group of protesters stood outside the Hall of Administration next to a small SUV covered in flag decals, pro-Trump slogans and a photo of Hillary Clinton behind bars in black-and-white jail clothes, above the caption, “How to Make America Great Again.”
Some accused the board of treason and another called the county a banana republic.
“The supervisors should focus on American citizens — homeless, veterans, unemployed and disabled — not illegal aliens,” Rhue Guijant told the board. “The motion to shield illegal aliens in the country promotes and supports federal lawbreaking.”
Mark Masaoka, policy director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, spoke in support of the board motion.
“Entire industries are dependent, whether we like it or not, on immigrant labor,” Masaoka said.
An opponent countered that “every one of them has stolen someone else’s job.”
A community activist waiting to speak on another issue said he couldn’t help but speak up.
“The level of hate and the vitriol that I’m hearing has to be challenged,” Hamid Khan said of the opponents depicting “the faces of the other, the savage native, the criminal black, the illegal Latino, the manipulative Asian, the Muslim terrorist, these are the faces that are constantly paraded … in our culture, in our politics … rather than looking at the real thing.”
Solis said the county was committed to protecting immigrant residents.
“Los Angeles County will stand up and protect our immigrant residents against any changes to federal policy that seek to unfairly target or scapegoat them,” Solis said in a statement following the vote. “Whether they unfairly target community members for deportation or threaten to cut funding that many of our county services rely upon, we are taking action to shield them from these potentially harmful changes.”
Previous related stories:
L.A. County to establish Office of Immigrant Affairs
County approves $3 million in contributions for legal aid fund
County to seek legal aid for immigrants facing deportation
L.A. County officials push back against threats of deportation
CA university leaders urge Trump to keep DACA program
L.A. County Supervisor calls for immigrant protections
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callingitasitis says
@ SMHX2
Your racism and intolerance shows up in assuming the spouse is Asian, the spouse could as well come from Panama, Germany, Spain or the UK. The quarter your dear mother did not get I assume while working off Sierra highway or maybe Sepulveda for her crack. You are the one who drew first blood. You may wish to choose your words more wisely before you end up eating them.
@Tim Scott
I thought you were better man than the above. Racism does not suit you, Sir. A Navy man too. We all know you hate Cops and the GOP but Asian also? Who else? What other color do you hate?
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the COLOR of their skin but by the content of their CHARACTER’
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
alby says
I have a dream that u shut yur mouth to conclusions that are too soon…
alby says
Aaaaaah!…keep it goin!
Magnetlady says
Both extended DAPA & DACA were issued an INJUNCTION against them by a Federal Judge… They were NEVER PASSED by Obama… It was ”EXECUTIVE ORDERS”, which will be REPEALED in few days!
alby says
I’m magnetized to good intel. Keep goin lady.
KSR says
As a tax payer, married to an immigrant that became legally naturalized and a decorated combat vet, I resent my taxes going to protect illegals and fear we will reap the financial consequences of the federal government and President Trump. Wish I could sue my Supervisors for misappropriation of public funds.
Tim Scott says
As a decorated combat vet who has no family members who weren’t born citizens, I resent my taxes providing benefits to your mail order bride.
Oh, wait…
That would make me as petty as you seem to have become.
Danny says
So petty you are and full of it
SMHX2 says
@KSR- Yes you imbecile, because all the undocumented are here without legal residency because it gives them joy. Do you seriously think they don’t want to legalize their status, have social security benefits when they get old and get a tax refund if they qualify?
Tell your Asian wife to explain to you how the immigration process works, surely you can understand her broken English. Never mind, we all know why you married her. Is the quarter trick real?
BTW, you are not the only military family in town, except the rest of us are not envious and bitter POS’. Stop wasting our oxygen you decrepit perv.
Me says
As a DACA recipient I resent my tax money going towards you and your ignorance. Pls use the money I work for to go back to school or go travel for a little :,(
alby says
You need to travel in your money to travel back to school… people work for it.
Tom says
We may not be able to sue, but we can vote them out when there seats become available.
Bruce says
County officials are driven by love and not hate. Good for them
alby says
Illegal immigrants don’t belong here. They have imposed socialism in what used to b good ol’ lancaster. I walk around this town and deal with stupid cholos acting like im in there “hood”. And if it was up to them they would turn l.a county into the very place they have immigrated away from. They work for cheap, they do the work that lazy meth heads don’t wanna do. that’s why people hire them and hide them. Giving meth heads more time to snoop in other peoples business. I thought Rex was gonna do something about that.
... says
The difference is the Trumpsters want but don’t help fund! Yet these people are paying for their own stuff not getting them for free and are now paying taxes as well. Help this help that but what are you helping with really?
Stinger says
Annnd here come the Trumpsters, comin’ out swinging!