L.A. County moves to Create “ICE-Free” zones Amid Violence Concerns
After escalating incidents of violence involving federal agents during the
trump management’s immigration crackdown, Los Angeles county officials
are seeking to establish “ICE-free” zones.
county Board Vote
the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to
bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from county-owned
spaces. supervisor Lindsay Horvath announced the motion to designate
county property as “U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement-free” zones,
prohibiting agents from staging,processing,or operating within those
areas.
“Los Angeles County will not allow its property to be used as a staging
ground for violence caused by the Trump administration,” horvath stated at
the Board of Supervisors meeting.
The motion directs county counsel to draft an ordinance for board
consideration within 30 days.
Recent Incidents of Violence
The move follows a series of violent incidents in California and across the
country. since June 6, 2025, Horvath stated that federal immigration
enforcement has “too often escalated into extreme violence.”
“Our federal government is freely, without cause, murdering its own
citizens in broad daylight,” she added, “in front of witnesses and
cameras.”
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Minnesota Shooting: The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee
Good by a federal immigration agent sparked nationwide outcry. While
government officials have characterized Good as a domestic terrorist,
state and local officials in Minneapolis dispute these claims.
Read more about the Minnesota shooting. -
Southern California Protest Injury: A 21-year-old protester
suffered a fractured skull and permanent vision loss in one eye after
being struck by a nonlethal round fired by a Department of Homeland
Security agent during a protest.
Learn about the protester’s injury. -
New Year’s Eve shooting: An off-duty ICE agent fatally shot
Keith Porter Jr. at a Northridge apartment complex on New Year’s Eve,
initially suspecting him of being an “active shooter.” Family members
stated Porter was firing an assault-style rifle in celebration.
Details on the New Year’s Eve shooting.
Warrant Requirement and Broader movement
Supervisor Hilda Solis, co-author of the motion, emphasized the need for
federal agents to present warrants before operating on county property.
“If [federal agents] use our property to stage, then you need to show us
documentation, a federal warrant, to back that up,” she said. Solis
expressed hope that other cities and jurisdictions would follow suit.
Ancient Context and DHS Directive
Prior to President Trump’s administration in 2025, ICE agents were
prohibited from conducting enforcement activities in sensitive locations like
places of worship, schools, and hospitals.
A January 20, 2025, DHS directive superseded this practice, instructing
officers to exercise “discretion along with a healthy dose of common
sense” when operating in sensitive locations.
More data on DHS protected areas.
Expanding “ICE-Free” Zones
alameda County officials are also considering adopting “ICE-free” zones,
having introduced a proposal in November and currently incorporating
feedback from various county departments.
Read about Alameda County’s proposal.
Chicago established the first “ICE-free” zone ordinance in October, barring
immigration enforcement agents from city-owned or controlled property.Chicago’s ICE-free zone ordinance.
