Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a new executive order reinforcing the city’s sanctuary rules just hours after federal agents rescued migrant children from a marijuana farm in Camarillo, California.
According to the Daily Caller, the July 11 directive came a day after an immigration raid uncovered 10 illegal migrant minors, prompting city officials to respond by increasing restrictions on cooperation with federal enforcement.
On July 10, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside Customs and Border Protection (CBP), raided a state-licensed cannabis operation near Camarillo. The action resulted in the rescue of 10 underage migrants, according to federal authorities, eight of whom were not accompanied by any guardians or parents.
The marijuana facility is now facing a federal investigation. Authorities are looking into whether child labor laws were broken and whether the minors were victims of trafficking or smuggling networks. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that the children appeared to have been exploited. CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed that all 10 individuals found at the site were undocumented and that an investigation into potential labor law violations is underway. “It’s now under investigation for child labor violations,” Scott said during a press briefing.
ICE Raid Triggers Local Backlash and Demonstrations
Following the July 10 raid, public protests erupted near the farm. Demonstrators gathered to voice opposition to federal immigration enforcement activities in the region.
Federal agents responded by forming a perimeter and restricting access to the area. At the time, community organizers expressed concern about the treatment of immigrant families and minors during such raids. The protests highlighted the broader tensions between Southern California communities and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This friction has unfolded over several years, with past raids and legal battles adding to the divide.
Mayor Bass Responds With Executive Directive
One day after the raid, Mayor Bass responded by signing an executive directive aimed at tightening Los Angeles’s sanctuary protocols. The policy builds upon existing protections passed by the City Council, ensuring municipal departments do not assist federal immigration authorities.
The directive specifically bars city employees, including members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), from cooperating with ICE-related enforcement activities. It emphasizes ongoing training for officers and civil servants on sanctuary policy guidelines. Mayor Bass also announced the creation of a new working group designed to monitor federal activity in immigrant communities. This coalition includes the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, LAPD representatives, and immigrant advocacy organizations.
City Seeks Federal Information on Detained Minors
In addition to internal changes, Bass directed the city to formally request records from ICE regarding the lives and status of the minors detained during the Camarillo raid. Her office said this step is critical to ensure transparency and proper oversight in cases involving vulnerable immigrant populations.
This move aligns with the mayor’s longstanding opposition to federal immigration strategies she sees as disruptive. “We are a proud city of immigrants,” Bass said during her announcement. She added that Los Angeles will use “every resource and tool” available to protect immigrant communities. Bass sharply criticized the July 10 operation. “I will never accept these unlawful and chaotic raids,” she said, arguing that they undermine trust within Los Angeles’s diverse neighborhoods.
Federal and Local Governments Remain at Odds
The Trump administration, in turn, has challenged Los Angeles’s sanctuary rules by filing multiple legal claims. Federal lawyers argue that local policies interfere with national enforcement responsibilities, citing the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause to bolster their position.
Despite legal threats, the city has remained firm. In previous cases, the Los Angeles City Council passed measures formally declaring the city a sanctuary jurisdiction. These laws have limited how city departments interact with federal enforcement agencies, especially when it comes to immigration status or detainment. Mayor Bass has hinted at further legal action, including suing the federal government over raids conducted in the broader Los Angeles area. Her office says it continues to work with legal experts to safeguard residents’ rights.
Ongoing Conflict Points to National Debate
The escalating dispute between Los Angeles officials and the Trump administration mirrors a national conversation over how immigration enforcement should be handled. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago have reinforced sanctuary protections as immigration tactics have intensified.
Meanwhile, federal agencies continue to insist that their actions are focused on upholding the law and protecting minors from exploitative conditions. “Eight unaccompanied migrant children” were found during the Camarillo raid, the DHS spokesperson stated, describing the operation as necessary and just. As events unfold, both sides are preparing for legal and political challenges ahead. Supporters of the Los Angeles directive view it as a defense of human rights, while critics argue it obstructs legal enforcement of federal immigration laws.
