In response to escalating immigration raids across Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass has signed Executive Directive 17 to build on the city’s efforts to confront what it calls federal overreach.
The sweeping set of directives from Bass include measures that prohibit the use of city property for immigration enforcement staging areas, processing locations, or bases of operation, and increase transparency around the conduct of federal agents through the use of body-worn cameras and other mechanisms.
“Immigration raids across L.A. have not stopped, and neither has our resolve to protect Angelenos from ICE’s campaign of terror,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “It’s outrageous that federal agents hide behind masks while racially profiling hardworking Angelenos. It’s cowardly and it must end — and so must the presence of ICE in Los Angeles. Together, we will stand united to defend our city and protect one another.”
The directive also calls on the Board of Police Commissioners to take specific actions to comply with the requirements of California Senate Bills 627 and 805, which address the use of facial coverings and visible identification by federal agents.
“At a moment when fear and cruelty are being used as political tools, this directive makes it clear that our city will not weaponize our departments against our own neighbors,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. “Our immigrant families are the economic and cultural engine of this city, and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with organizations like CHIRLA and SALEF to defend their safety, their rights, and their humanity.”
In June, the federal administration began immigration enforcement raids. Bass issued Executive Directive 12 and, with philanthropic and private partners, raised $1.7 million in immediate relief for impacted families. ED12 has become a model for other cities, including Portland, Minneapolis, and Chicago, who are facing similar federal actions.
“Today, we made it clear: no city property can be used for DHS staging, and no federal agents can operate in our communities without proper identification,” said Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez. “I was proud to stand with Mayor Bass to strengthen protections for immigrant families and send a strong message that Los Angeles will not cooperate with fear-based federal attacks on our neighborhoods.”
As these enforcement efforts have intensified, marked by highly visible operations and fatal shootings of civilians by federal agents in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, Executive Directive 17 aims to sharply expand protections to keep Angelenos safe from federal enforcement abuses.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighborhood and to trust their government is working for them,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. “This directive takes meaningful action to reclaim our shared spaces and hold law enforcement accountable for safeguarding Angelenos from the unconstitutional actions of masked agents. Guided by our community’s urgent demand for transparency, it is a critical step toward limiting federal overreach and protecting our immigrant families.”
Executive Directive 17 includes the following directives:
• Mandates that City property is not utilized by federal immigration agents for staging areas, processing locations, or bases of operation
• Requests the Board of Police Commissioners to direct the Police Chief to update LAPD’s protocols related to federal immigration action
• Provides guidance related to implementing state law that prohibits masking of federal immigration agents
• Directs the Department of City Planning to prepare an ordinance regarding private property owners who give site control for immigration enforcement and related activities; and
• Begins the process to ensure that City contractors disclose whether they have agreements with the Department of Homeland Security.
The directive begins as follows:
“Since June 2025, Los Angeles has experienced an increase in federal civil immigration enforcement activity, marked by highly visible operations that have taken place in neighborhoods, near workplaces, and in public spaces. These actions continue to spread fear and uncertainty among residents, disrupt families and businesses, and damage community trust in government institutions. The federal operations also increase risk and danger to officers of the Los Angeles Police Department when responding to calls related to immigration enforcement activity.
“These actions by the federal government raise serious concerns regarding the use of City-owned or controlled property, the conduct and accountability of federal law enforcement officers operating within the City, and the need to establish clear boundaries between municipal operations and federal civil immigration enforcement.
“To ensure that all residents feel safe accessing City services, reporting crimes, seeking emergency assistance, and participating fully in civic life, it is essential that City law enforcement professionals have clear guidelines to ensure they can effectively provide public safety for all Angelenos when responding to and interacting with federal immigration enforcement.”