Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signs executive directive prohibiting the use of city property by federal immigration agents
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive directive prohibiting the use of any city-owned or controlled property by federal immigration agents.
On Tuesday morning, Bass said she was signing the directive to "protect Los Angeles" from the federal government. Executive Directive 17 bars city property from being used by agents as staging areas, processing locations and bases of operation. She said the directive was crafted with the help of community organizations and immigrant rights leaders.
"Let me make myself clear, this is not normal, and it will never be normal. It is the opposite of what a federal government is supposed to do," Bass said. "What we have seen in all of our districts is ICE go and attempt to stage at various properties, public or private."
In response to Bass' directive, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security called Bass' move "legally illiterate" and added that Secretary Kristi Noem's message is clear that DHS will "continue to enforce the law, relentless and unapologetic, every day in greater Los Angeles."
"Sanctuary politicians like Karen Bass are attempting to demonize law enforcement for doing their job," the spokesperson said. "While Mayor Karen Bass continues to release pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and murderers onto the streets, our brave law enforcement will continue to risk their lives to arrest these heinous criminals and make Los Angeles safe again."
The directive also instructs the Los Angeles Police Department to preserve all evidence related to immigration enforcement operations so it can be reported. It directs the city planning department to prepare an ordinance to impose fees on property owners who give site control to federal agents.
A statement from Bass' office said the directive will also start the process to ensure that city contractors disclose whether they have agreements with DHS.
"Let me be clear, we will never allow our city to be divided," Bass said. "We will never allow ICE to continue doing what it's doing in terms of attempting to stage in different areas."
In June 2025, Bass signed an executive directive, which called on city departments to develop preparedness plans for federal immigration activity on city property and for departments to have a designated "immigration affairs liaison." Bass' office said that with the help of philanthropic and private partners, they raised $1.7 million in immediate relief for impacted families.
Since the start of the immigration raids in LA last summer, Bass has been outspoken in her disapproval of the Trump administration's tactics, including agents wearing masks and not identifying themselves. Bass has also highlighted the financial setbacks local businesses have faced due to the raids, claiming they have instilled fear in residents across the city.
