LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to bar access to non-public areas of county properties — including hospitals, libraries and social services offices — to federal immigration agents without a warrant.
Supervisor Hilda Solis proposed designating county facilities as “sensitive locations,” saying some residents were afraid to seek medical care or other critical resources for fear of deportation.
“We know that Los Angeles County is often the safety net of last resort for so many who live here and face hardships,” Solis said. “Our county provides services that allow people to get back on their feet or get through very challenging times. However, many immigrants in our county do not feel safe to access these services.”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents cannot be prohibited from going into public areas of county buildings.
The policy also does not apply to jails, courthouses or public schools because the county lacks jurisdiction in those locations.
However, a county lawyer pointed out that 72 percent of public schools in the county are in districts that already protect students from immigration enforcement.
“School districts can impose much greater restrictions” on their own, the attorney told the board.
As for jails, the Sheriff’s Department allows ICE agents in the downtown Inmate Reception Center, but the lawyer assured the board that “they are there only for the purpose of accepting the transfer of inmates” who qualify for federal detention.
The lawyer also noted that computers belonging to ICE had been removed from an office in the IRC in August and the related data lines were shut down. That action was taken after the Office of Inspector General informed the Sheriff’s Department that it was preparing a report about the use of the computers in contradiction to public statements that ICE agents had vacated county jail offices.
Advocates for immigrants praised the new policy, which county lawyers have been working on since April.
“The adoption of the Sensitive Locations Policy will provide critical protection to members of the Los Angeles immigrant community and their families from unconstitutional detention,” said Nora Phillips, legal director for Al Otro Lado, a nonprofit legal services organization. “This policy will create clarity among L.A. County employees, greatly lessen community fear, and ensure unimpeded civic participation for Angelenos.”
The policy also prohibits the use of county employees or funds for activities related to immigration enforcement or investigation other than for law enforcement purposes primarily unrelated to immigration.
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Tom says
Anyone with little knowledge of the law knows federal rules can be in forced regardless what state and county laws and regulations are. If the Federal government wants to conduct a sweep at say AV hospital, they can. Elections are coming up and La County Supervisors have too make it look like there doing something, yet they know they cant stop the Federal government. The most they can do is cause a long court battle back and fourth that wont amount to crap just waisting our tax dollars. Any federal officer can ask if one is here illegal, there just asking a question, just as a deputy can ask if you have a weapon, or where are you coming from when stopped. Its your right to answer or not.
Tim Scott says
LOL…and apparently you are indeed someone with little knowledge of the law…very little.
Libertarian says
ТIМ, you really have no idea know what you are talking about. I used to work as a security guard for many years, and the site I worked at was raided by feds 3 times. First thing they do is
disarming security guards – they take guns from security guards, only after that they do the job. Security guard will never make them go away, nobody can, even local police. About your “against the law” rattle, what feds do isn’t against the law at all. Any security guard who will try to stop feds from doing what they are doing – that security guard will be in big trouble. Check your facts before you post сrар. Your reputation equals zero, buddy.
Tim Scott says
RAIDS means WARRANTS. What is being discussed here is the “flash a badge and ask a few questions” invasions that are routine…and illegal.
Don’t pretend we’re buddies. My buddies know how to read.
Libertrian says
That’s what you said in your previous comment: “try to walk behind the desk at a hospital they will call security and have you escorted out. If you flash a federal badge – they will call security and have you escorted out.”
I was referring to this comment you made. And it is a wrong comment.
Feds did exactly like you said ( 3 times within 8 years ) – flashed the federal badge and took away guns from everyone in our security team, right before going through everything – inventory, documents, etc. They had a warrant, but the only person who got a chance to read it was our lawyer, he read the warrant next day. Anyhow, feds have a lot more authority than you think.
Tim Scott says
THEY HAD A WARRANT. That’s the point. READ the article. Heck, just read the FIRST paragraph.
Tim Scott says
Here, I’ll provide it to you:
“The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to bar access to non-public areas of county properties to federal immigration agents WITHOUT a warrant.”
Wouldn’t want to tax your abilities by making you scroll up AND read.
Paul says
Great conversation but it’s not California that feeds the country, however it’s Iowa that feeds the country.
Tim Scott says
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, for 2016 California agricultural output was almost double Iowa’s. But we know that most California bashers get “alternative facts” from places like Breitbart, so this bit of reality probably won’t matter to you.
Tim Scott says
Well, no, there is no factual basis for that comment. Iowa is second by a HUGE margin.
Laughing says
Too much info for California https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/California_Ag_Statistics/Reports/2015cas-all.pdf
Iowa does seem to beat us for wheat, soy beans, and corn. All GMO’d and subsidized. Oh and chickens and hogs. Though I think we have more feral pigs running around, and happier chickens.
Jamie says
California’s best days well behind her, indeed. This is the reason why the rest of the nation refers to our once proud state, as Mexifornia –
Tim Scott says
Actually, only Breitbart reading idiots refer to it as Mexifornia. If you don’t like it you can always move to a proud red state, like Kansas or Kentucky. I’m sure you’d fit right in.
Bill Richards says
Tim Scott, I love reading your quirky replys. Do you work or are you retired? I thought you were a court reporter? Do you work for the AV Valley newspaper? They should put you on the payroll as an editor or you should write a daily column. Just keep your own political views to yourself. when you call commentators Trumpanzees you do a real diservice to primates. Your comments would be taken more seriously. Otherwise you come across as a liberal shrill. Please continue as the conscience of the Antelope Valley! You need to run for Mayor! As long as you don’t have any skeletons in your closet that the Parris Regime could dig up on you! lol
Tim Scott says
Thanks Bill. I’m happily retired…far to happily to move to Lancaster and run for mayor.
Alexis says
He didn’t say, run for Mayor in Lancaster, Tim. Read his comment again. Why don’t you run for Mayor of Palmdale, Tim. No, you are not happily retired, although you would like everyone to think you are, Tim. First thing you need to stop doing is telling people to die that have different opinions than you. Otherwise you would be just like Rex Parris, a dictator. You also, you need to work on your extreme anger issues.
Tim Scott says
I wouldn’t run for mayor of Palmdale because I’m very satisfied with the mayor Palmdale has.
As to me being happy, I’m going to ask a simple question:
Who is more likely to know, me or some ditz that has never met me because she’s afraid to come out of her house?
East Lancaster Resident says
Please run for mayor of Lancaster. Please Tim? You or anyone. Please. Someone help us. We have a tyrant meglomaniac who admits he’s ‘different’. That is more polite than what the rest of us think of him.
Anyone for Lancaster Mayor 2020.
Tim Scott says
Sorry, wouldn’t move back to Lancaster on a bet. However East Lancaster Resident, drop me an e-mail at timshatemail at gmx dot com (which is actually not reserved just for people who hate me) and I’ll share some ideas that will help you out.
Alexis says
Well Bill, I have been reading his comment for years and I decided I wouldn’t want him for Mayor. When he tell commenters to eat a bullet, go commit suicide, or just go die because they disagree with him, disqualifies Tim. I might add that he also calls people stupid, and points out their spelling mistakes and sentence structure. That is something Rex Parris does. A man with integrity would never tell others to die, or wish cancer on them. He has no conscience.
Tim Scott says
LOL…so which is it Alex, do I lack integrity, or is it conscience? You attribute them both to the same evidence, which is actually false to start with, so it is a little confusing trying to decipher your current little rant.
Alexis says
Both, and you know it. Not confusing at all, and not false to start with. Do I have to explain everything to you.
Alexis says
Evidence is not false, Tim. You have been called out many times over the years for telling people to die. You have no conscience, therefore you have no integrity.
Tim Scott says
LOL…”many times”…by you. I can name both people that I’ve told to eat a bullet, and by now probably most other people can name them as well. In neither case was it “because they disagreed with me” and everyone knows that as well. It’s because, in my opinion, the world would be a better place without them. In Foolco’s case because he is not just a leech, but priggishly arrogant about it. In your case it was because you claimed you wanted to “not be keyboard warriors but meet and settle things” as if you wanted to fight, then refused so I figured “eat a bullet” was as close as I could get to giving you what you asked for. That’s on you and Foolco, not me.
Tim Scott says
Many times, by you. A zero credibility whine repeated doesn’t make it truth.
Eat a bullet. You are still one of two.
'Alexis' says
“I’m judging him judging other people.”
Now, do people know why I’m a nutcase.
Laughing says
I have yet to have a friend, acquaintance, or stranger from out of state refer to California improperly. Of course, they are very patriotic and understand how republics work, and that California is a leader.
Alexis says
California is a great state! What would the rest of the states do without the food grown in this great state. California is also a beautiful state. What wonderful diversity we have in this great state of California. Of course there will always be those people that want to bathe in white privilege, so they throw out the word “Mexifornia.”
suckyState says
California is not a great state. When it comes to taxes.
William says
California has lots of opportunities for success. It’s the 6th largest economy on the planet.
That you failed is on you, suckyState.
If you’re so smart, move to another state and have a go at it. People do that all the time.
Losers like you just stay put and complain till they die.
Any questions???
William says
What are you kvetching ’bout, suckyState?
If you’re making minimum wage, you’re not paying many taxes.
If you’re really rich, which we doubt, you’re simply a whiner.
Either way, it’s not good being you.
Tim Scott says
Government costs money. If you want a bargain brand government you can shop around. Texas saves money by not bothering with little stuff like zoning to keep developers from building in flood plains, but that’s a good cheap government you are welcome to. Lots of states have no highways other than federally funded Interstates, but if you don’t mind being stuck in BFE their government is cheap.
Wait, aren’t all those cheap government states the places where all the crying about how “the recovery has left us behind” is going on? Where “there are no jobs”? Where people would just as soon OD on opioids as face another day? Maybe we’re better off paying for better government, eh? But, feel free to shop around.
10 doug says
Too bad the County will not take care of the America people like they do the illegals. Vote them out!
Tim Scott says
Blah, blah, blah…if you have any interests in actual facts, keeping nosy feds from rooting through records just for the heck of it is good for EVEN YOU.
Mr fed up says
Actually, if your illegal, you only have human rights, meaning ICE can go into any place and arrest people, ” key word” there not citizens they have no rights that are guaranteed to U.S. Citizens so the county’s new law is illegal and cant supersede federal law
tonyb says
I assume you have actual proof this is happening or are you just saying that to shut down the other person viewpoint. Give me actual statistical data and who gathered that data.
Loam says
“However, many immigrants in our county do not feel safe to access these services.”
Yup, they are not even catering to legal immigrants, just illegal immigrants who would have something to hide from ICE. It’s very interesting how narrowly focused the county supervisors are: they don’t care about citizens or legal immigrants and spend their time addressing issues that could not bother citizens or legal immigrants. It’s shameful that they take our tax money and use it to protect people in the country illegally.
Uncle Sam says
Feds don’t need any warrant to visit any state property of any state. Who is going to stop them? Jerry Brown himself? That will be funny to watch.
Tim Scott says
Guess again, wrong on most counts. When you try to walk behind the desk at a hospital they will call security and have you escorted out. If you flash a federal badge and try to say it makes you special…they will call security and have you escorted out. That’s typical.
“Visiting a state property” is certainly something you, or anyone else, can generally do, but that has nothing to do with what this is about.
Uncle Sam says
Security Guard will escort out the FBI or ICE agents? Are you out of your mind? Security guard will be arrested on the spot for obstruction of justice, will get his security guard license suspended right away, will have criminal record on his history for the rest of his life, and will never be able to get his license ever again.
Tim Scott says
Yet another complete failure to grasp basics of law. There is no obstruction of justice when you interact with a law enforcement officer that is not in the course of doing his job, especially if what that law enforcement officer is doing is in fact against the law. You should really stick to commenting on subjects that you at least have some knowledge of.
As to whether I am “out of my mind,” no, I’m not. Since it is apparently such a short distance for you to get out of yours I guess you think it is that way for everyone, but it really isn’t.
tonyb says
Are you versed in immigrant law Tim? Are you saying ICE just trolls hoping to find a illegal immigrant? Again, your feelings don’t count. I seen on this web site time and time again you bash law enforcement. I agree their are some bad law enforcement officials but you seen to paint all of them in a very negative light. Go get your law degree so you can fight all of them in court instead on this web site. it might be more productive
Tim Scott says
Hi Tony. Doesn’t really have anything to do with “immigrant law.” The point is that if a cop, federal or not, has a warrant for a specific person then they are doing their job lawfully and they have to be, and will be, cooperated with. If they do not have a warrant then yes, they are “just trolling.” That isn’t “immigrant law,” it is from a fairly well known document called the Constitution of the United States. I swore an oath to protect that document, and no one asked me for a law degree as qualification at the time. Do you think they should have?
Loam says
The critical detail in the article is “non-public areas of county properties”. A county library is public property, but not all areas are accessible by the public. So ICE can talk in, but they cannot go behind the counter at a library? Can go into waiting rooms and hallways of hospitals but cannot go into private offices? This is meaningless pandering.
Tim Scott says
Actually, hallways and waiting rooms of hospitals are controlled access areas. The admissions lobby and emergency room lobby are public access areas, but to be in a hallway or waiting room you have to be an authorized visitor connected to a willing patient.
William says
I worked in an ER that had a keypad to enter from the main hospital. After it was installed and I spent a few months using my index finger to punch the keys, I tried using my index, 2nd and 3rd fingers like I do on a calculator keypad.
When I proudly told one of the nurses of my newfound skill she said without missing a beat….
“When you can do it with your tongue, come see me.”
Ahhhh. The good ol’ days, when health care was still fun.
Mikie says
… correction to headline: “… [Eric Garcetti hikes property tax assessments] to protect [the hoodlums, the punks, the law breakers, and the gangbangers]”
Laughing says
Ummm wouldn’t those non-public areas be where the employees are?
Why would the county worry about that? Have they been hiring illegal immigrants?
Tim Scott says
The issue is that that is where the RECORDS are. It’s also where patients are seen in hospitals, children are taught in schools, etc. Can’t keep dogs from pooping on the lawn, but that doesn’t mean they can come and go as they please inside the building.