In a recent hearing, newly confirmed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that the department will not assist with mass deportations and will protect the immigrant community in Los Angeles. This statement was made in response to the fear and concern felt by many in the immigrant community following the national election. McDonnell emphasized that Los Angeles is a city of immigrants and that the LAPD will not take action to determine a person’s immigration status or arrest someone for their status. This stance by McDonnell led to criticism from conservatives on social media, who called for federal intervention to enforce deportation efforts.
While serving as LA County Sheriff during Trump’s first term, McDonnell worked with federal immigration agents to deport illegal alien criminals. However, he stated during the hearing that he would not do so in his current role as LAPD Chief. McDonnell pointed to policies such as Special Order 40, which prohibit the LAPD from assisting with mass deportations, as a reason for his stance. He was questioned by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez about the protections guaranteed for residents of Los Angeles who are illegally living in the United States.
McDonnell highlighted that the LAPD does not base its interactions with individuals on their immigration status and that everyone is treated equally across the city. He referenced the Trust Act and California Values Act as further measures that support this approach. The Trust Act, which became law in California in 2014, limits the amount of time and reasons ICE hold requests can be honored by local jails. A report from the Cato Institute in 2018 showed that deportations in Los Angeles decreased by 39% after the Trust Act was implemented.
Despite the LAPD’s stance on not assisting with mass deportations, former ICE director Tom Homan criticized this position and threatened that ICE would be empowered to go after the 425,000 illegal immigrants convicted of crimes currently in the United States. Homan warned jurisdictions that oppose deportation efforts to either help or get out of the way. He expressed a commitment to removing the handcuffs placed on ICE under the Biden Administration and allowing them to do their job effectively. It remains to be seen how the LAPD’s position on not assisting with deportations will impact immigration enforcement efforts in Los Angeles.
In conclusion, the newly confirmed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell made it clear that the department will not assist with mass deportations and will protect the immigrant community in Los Angeles. This decision, prompted by fear and concern in the immigrant community following the national election, has sparked criticism from conservatives. Despite working with federal immigration agents to deport criminals while serving as LA County Sheriff, McDonnell emphasized that the LAPD will not take action based on a person’s immigration status. The Trust Act and California Values Act further support the LAPD’s approach of treating everyone equally regardless of their immigration status. Former ICE director Tom Homan criticized the LAPD’s stance and vowed to empower ICE to go after illegal immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States. The outcome of this conflict between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement in Los Angeles remains uncertain.
