Mayor Bass, Rep. Garcia convene Congressional hearing on LA immigration raids

Hearing held over immigration raids

Lawmakers and political leaders filled a hearing room in downtown LA to hear testimony from people impacted by ICE raids and other immigration actions in Southern California.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and religious leaders spearheaded a public demonstration and congressional investigation into the recent federal immigration raids in Los Angeles.

What we know:

The hearing, dubbed "Due Process for All: Exposing Trump's Mass Deportation Machine," was preceded by a march held by immigrant-rights advocates and local leaders — including Bass.

"We want to establish a record because when the political winds change, we want to hold those accountable," Bass said during the rally. "We want transparency and accountability for all of the egregious unconstitutional acts that are taking place."

During the hearing, Bass said the session "addresses a crisis that we cannot ignore."

"Los Angeles will not stay silent while Angelenos' rights are violated," she said. "We are here to demand accountability. We are here to demand transparency and we are calling on Congress to act before more families are torn apart."

Congressional hearing in LA over ICE raids

Mayor Karen Bass and faith leaders are leading a public procession to demand accountability for the recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Los Angeles.

Timeline:

In September, the Supreme Court lifted a lower court's restraining order, allowing federal agents to resume sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles.

On Oct. 20, Mayor Bass and Congressman Robert Garcia called for a congressional investigation into alleged abuse of U.S. citizens and immigrants by federal agents without warrants or probable cause.

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Last week, the LA County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency due to the fear and business shutdowns caused by the operations.

Later Monday morning, Mayor Bass will join Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, to convene a joint City-Congressional Field Hearing.

The backstory:

Federal immigration raids began this summer, with many of the operations targeting local car washes, leading to the detention of some Los Angeles workers. 

The renewed federal activity follows the supreme court ruling in September that allowed the sweeps to resume. 

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Mayor Bass and leaders are demanding accountability for the "unlawful detention" of people, including U.S. citizens, following these raids.

The other side:

The Trump administration has maintained that federal immigration enforcement focuses on the removal of "violent criminals" and the "worst of the worst." 

Federal officials have also denied allegations that detainees are mistreated or held in substandard facilities while in custody. 

They also deny claims that people are being arrested without probable cause.

What they're saying:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a statement on social media following the Supreme Court ruling that allowed raids to resume.

"This decision is a victory for the safety of Americans in California and for the rule of law. DHS will continue to arrest and remove the criminal illegal aliens that @mayorofla is protecting," the DHS said in a statement.

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"It's just so inhumane the way they're being treated, being hurt physically emotionally, said Ortencia Ramirez, a leader with One LA-IAF who testified during the field hearing. "Business is down, some of the businesses are having to close, and it's not just affecting one place that they're raiding but all the businesses around them."

Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez said the impacts of the stepped-up immigration enforcement actions are far-reaching.

"Our communities are suffering, and it isn't just those being arrested and detained," he said. "Our businesses relying on the labor of immigrants are also suffering. Tourism has been hurt by federal policies that discourage both international and domestic travel. Commercial corridors that were once vibrant now feel like ghost towns."