Mayor Karen Bass announces plans to ban ICE from city properties 'to protect LA from federal govt'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday, Feb 10, announced a series of aggressive new steps aimed at limiting the presence and operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the city.

The Democrat said the moves were necessary to “protect Los Angeles” from federal immigration enforcement, calling the current situation anything but normal.

Karen Bass bars ICE from city-owned facilities

At the center of Bass’ announcement was a new policy that will prohibit federal immigration officers from using or staying at any city-owned facilities.

Bass, who has previously called on ICE agents to leave Los Angeles, made it clear she believes the city must take action against what she described as overreach by the federal government.

She said she felt compelled “to protect Los Angeles, unfortunately, from our own federal government.”

“Let me make this clear, this is not normal and will never be normal,” Bass added.

The decision marks one of the most direct attempts by the city to restrict how federal immigration authorities operate within Los Angeles.

ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New fee proposed for property owners working with feds

Beyond blocking access to city facilities, Bass also introduced a proposal that could financially impact private property owners.

She said she will instruct the Planning Department to draft an ordinance imposing a fee on any Los Angeles property owner who grants site control to federal immigration authorities.

While details of the potential fee were not disclosed, the proposal signals the city’s intent to discourage cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

This measure is part of a broader package of three policy proposals rolled out by the mayor during her announcement.

Police evidence preservation and mask ban push

Bass also revealed that the Los Angeles Police Department will now be required to preserve all evidence related to immigration activities.

Additionally, her office plans to direct the Police Commission to examine the possibility of implementing legislation introduced by state Sen Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) that banned federal immigration agents from wearing masks during raids and other operations.

A judge on Monday blocked that statewide mask ban.

Still, Bass strongly criticized the practice.

“It is outrageous that federal agents continue to mask themselves throughout our city and snatch people off of our streets,” she said.

The mayor framed the policies as a response to what she views as escalating immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles.