With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA County votes to set up its own immigrant affairs office
FILE: The Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, formerly Los Angeles County Hall of Administration.
(
jann_on/Flickr Creative Commons
)
Los Angeles County supervisors approved creation of an Office of Immigrant Affairs that would coordinate and streamline access to countywide services for immigrants.
The motion to approve the office passed on a 4 to 1 vote and was sponsored by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Sheila Kuehl. Last month, the two supervisors co-authored a related motion seeking protection for immigrants under an incoming Donald Trump administration.
It's one of the latest moves by the county board to respond to Trump's campaign promise to enact strict policies against immigrants living illegally in the country and refugees.
Solis' spokeswoman, Jessie Gomez, said the immigrant affairs office would provide referrals to services, including legal counsel. A proposed budget and staffing for the office won't be determined until April, she said, but the goal is to get the office up and running by the end of the calendar year.
Support for LAist comes from
Plans are to house the office within the county's Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.
Kathryn Barger, a Republican elected last year to the county board representing the 5th District, cast the lone dissenting vote. Barger also dissented on a recent vote to to earmark $3 million in county money over two years for a fund to help pay for immigrants' legal aid.
Barger’s spokesman Tony Bell said she disagreed with the immigrant affairs office in part because she didn’t think it necessary. But he also said "she believes that the issue of immigration needs to be addressed by the federal government and not the county.”
The supervisors also requested that the county's Civilian Oversight Commission keep tabs on how the Sheriff's Department adheres to policies pertaining to immigrants.
The City of Los Angeles already has a Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, established in 2013 to promote immigrant integration.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist