Over the past few months, Los Angeles Police Department officers have arrested hundreds and injured dozens of people protesting or documenting federal immigration enforcement. Since 1979, the LAPD has prohibited its officers from initiating police action to determine someone’s immigration status, but many people point to the LAPD’s blocking of traffic and arresting of protesters and journalists as evidence of their collaboration with federal immigration agents. The LAPD has repeatedly denied such allegations.
As of June 17, Los Angeles had spent nearly $30 million on LAPD costs associated with anti-ICE protests, according to L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia. That figure does not include potential lawsuit settlements and legal expenses, which one expert estimated could exceed $100 million. The LAPD is already investigating dozens of misconduct complaints associated with the agency’s response to recent protests.
Capital & Main spoke with Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado about recent LAPD activity. She ran on a police accountability pledge, and Jurado’s majority Latino district, which is home to industries like garment production that rely on an immigrant workforce, has been especially impacted by immigration raids.
