The L.A. City Council has taken a step toward reactivating a zoning code that could prohibit the construction and operation of private detention centers for unaccompanied children. <\/p>\n
The ordinance is meant to prevent private facilities from contracting with federal law enforcement agencies like ICE, according to Councilmember Tim McOsker, who introduced the motion last Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The zoning ordinance was first introduced in 2019 in response to President Donald Trump\u2019s immigration policies during his first term. The file was drafted in 2021, but was never officially adopted, and therefore it expired in 2024.<\/p>\n
Keep up with LAist.<\/p>\n
If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. <\/p>\n
The City Council last week voted to revive the file and update the drafted zoning code in response to immigration raids.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concern, of course, was the worry that profiteers, private entities working with the federal government, were creating detention centers across the country,\u201d McOsker said during the council meeting. \u201cThose were creating human rights violations and poor living conditions, disease, death and harms that were unconstitutional to residents of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why it matters\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Department of Homeland Security reported<\/a> it has detained more than 10,000 people in Los Angeles since raids started in June.<\/p>\n