Los Angeles Defies President Trump, Strengthens Protections For Illegals Even as it Faces a $1B Deficit

Los Angeles is expanding protections for undocumented immigrants, even as President Trump threatens to cut federal funding and ramp up deportations.

Key Facts:

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved new measures to shield undocumented immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.
The city will track ICE activity, fund legal services, and launch a “Know Your Rights” campaign.
Lawmakers also urged state officials in Sacramento to increase funding for deportation defense.
No official cost estimate was provided, though Los Angeles currently faces a $1 billion budget shortfall.
President Trump warned this week that an executive order is coming for sanctuary cities, calling their policies dangerous and unlawful.

The Rest of The Story:

Los Angeles is reinforcing its sanctuary city status by committing more local resources to protect undocumented immigrants.

The City Council voted to monitor federal immigration enforcement, invest in legal defense, and launch an outreach campaign educating immigrants about their rights.

These measures build on a November ordinance that formally declared Los Angeles a sanctuary city.

That law barred the use of city resources to support federal immigration enforcement.

The latest expansion comes despite the city’s $1 billion deficit and amid fresh threats from President Trump to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that defy immigration laws.

California has been a statewide sanctuary since 2018, with laws that limit local cooperation with ICE, except in cases involving certain felonies.

Councilmembers argue the policies are about protecting families, not criminals.

Trump disagrees, stating sanctuary cities protect dangerous individuals and endanger lawful citizens.

EXPOSED: This is how LA County officials are coaching illegals on how to avoid ICE arrests in California.

The city employee even told us that we should stay in California because illegals are "more protected here than anywhere else":pic.twitter.com/l2aGudKDEY

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) March 20, 2025

Commentary:

Los Angeles is choosing to prioritize illegal immigrants over its own taxpaying citizens.

At a time when the city is drowning in a billion-dollar deficit, spending unknown millions on legal defense and ICE monitoring is fiscally irresponsible.

These funds could be used to address rising homelessness, fix failing infrastructure, or improve public safety for lawful residents.

The city’s leaders are deliberately resisting federal law, creating a haven for those who entered the country unlawfully.

Their message is clear: if you’re here illegally, Los Angeles will shield you—even at the cost of the city’s financial stability and safety.

President Trump is right to threaten a federal funding cutoff.

Federal taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to bankroll cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

If Los Angeles wants to be a sanctuary, it should do so without federal help.

The administration should act swiftly.

ICE must increase operations in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and begin high-profile enforcement efforts.

Any city officials who obstruct these lawful actions should be held accountable—legally and publicly.

The federal government must remind local leaders that immigration law is not optional.

If they won’t enforce it, Washington must.

The safety and integrity of the nation are at stake.

The Bottom Line:

Los Angeles is pushing ahead with expanded sanctuary policies, even as it faces serious financial trouble and warnings from the White House.

City leaders are betting on defiance over cooperation, despite real consequences.

Taxpayers deserve better than to watch their city serve illegal immigrants while services for lawful residents crumble.

The federal government should respond with decisive action—starting now.