Wave Staff Report
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass joined more than 20 mayors from across the region March 13 to lead a town hall and field hearing in downtown entitled “On the Frontlines: Confronting the Human Cost of ICE Deportations and Defending Our Communities.”
The gathering brought together more than 200 participants, including city leaders, immigrant advocates, faith-based organizations and residents directly impacted by ongoing federal immigration enforcement.
The regional hearing focused the urgent pressures weighing on immigrant communities, showing how the federal raids threaten basic rights and disrupt families throughout the area. As ICE operations grow more aggressive, residents and local leaders struggle with the realities of protecting those most at risk. Personal testimonies highlighted repeated rights violations, offering a vivid account of the human consequences of immigration enforcement both in the region and across the country.
“Listen to these testimonies from Angelenos — it’s gut-wrenching and heartbreaking,” Bass said. “Los Angeles will not stand for ICE’s fear, intimidation and unlawful targeting.
“Today’s hearing exposed the devastating effects on Angelenos — including U.S. citizens — who have been detained without cause, assaulted, and stripped of their freedom. These stories are not only alarming — they are intolerable,” she added.
“Such attacks strike at the very heart of our city, and we are seeing their impact spread across the county. I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with more than 20 regional mayors, united in our commitment to protect every resident and uphold justice at every turn.”
“Unconstitutional immigration raids and the fear they create go against the moral fabric of our nation and the fundamental rights our Constitution is meant to protect,” San Fernando Mayor Joel Fajardo said. “In cities like San Fernando, immigrant families are our neighbors, our small business owners, and an essential part of the fabric of our community.
“When families live with fear and uncertainty, it affects entire neighborhoods, local businesses and the stability of our communities,” Fajardo added. “Our country is strongest when we uphold human rights, treat people with dignity, and remember that the values of justice and compassion are at the heart of who we are.”
“Today’s hearing is about bringing together elected leaders and community partners from all across our region to speak with one voice to end the trauma and hostility this federal administration has inflicted on the hardworking immigrant families and communities who call L.A. County home,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said. “The community testimonies gathered on the record at today’s forum will provide an essential tool to hold this administration accountable for the atrocities it has waged against our diverse local neighborhoods and economy.”
“Today’s hearings show through a diversity of testimony and evidence that what we have and are collectively experiencing across Southern California is nothing less than federally sponsored attacks rooted in racism and white supremacy,” said Maegan Ortiz , the executive director of Instituto Educacion Popular del Sue California. “Today also shows that despite attempts to alter the very landscape of Southern California, we are united in truth, justice and the continued struggle to protect and love one another through protest and policy. I am proud to participate and be part of the archive of our resistance.”
“Immigration raids that terrorize transgender immigrants are not only unconstitutional, they are inhumane,” said Bamby Salcedo, president and CEO of the TransLatin@ Coalition. “Transgender immigrants deserve to live with dignity and safety — not fear. Our country is strongest when we protect the human rights of all people, regardless of immigration status or gender identity.
Among those testifying at the gathering were: Yansi Lopez, a business owner from South Gate; Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Diego M., rapid response organizer for ORALE of Long Beach; Memo Torres, director of engagement and multimedia journalist for the James Beard award-winning L.A. Taco; and Rev. Tanya Lopez, a faith leader from Downey.
Bass has been defending Los Angeles families and standing up for immigrant communities under assault since, when Los Angeles became a frontline test of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration raids. Bass has issue Executive Directive 12 and, with philanthropic and private partners, mobilized $1.7 million in immediate relief for affected families. Executive Directive 12 has set the standard for other cities — including Portland, Minneapolis, and Chicago — facing similar federal threats.
As federal enforcement efforts escalated, marked by high-profile operations and tragic civilian deaths in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, Executive Directive 17 was launched to sharply expand protections and defend Angelenos from federal overreach.
