Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has another plan to spend more funds to thwart arrests of illegal immigrants — this time doling out cash cards to help those immigrants who are too afraid to go to work.
The cash assistance initiative isn’t using taxpayer money, which is good considering Bass’s city is facing a nearly $1 billion budget deficit.
The program, although privately funded, aims to provide financial support to immigrant families who have lost income or are unable to work due to fear of arrest and deportation.
Bass announced the direct cash assistance program on Friday, July 11, a day after Southern California again made national news for its resistance to immigration enforcement.
Hundreds of protestors and violent rioters tried to impede and assault federal agents during a worksite investigation, which turned up 14 unaccompanied minors and more than 300 illegal workers at two marijuana grow operations in Ventura County, California.
The Trump administration sued the city over its sanctuary policy last month, arguing that it discriminates against organizations like ICE.
“You’re telling me that isn’t a Babylon Bee headline?” a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital, referring to the satirical news site.
“Recent immigration enforcement in California has resulted in successfully detaining countless violent criminals and liberating children from illegal labor exploitation. But instead of helping these children or putting American citizens first, Bass is doubling down on her defense of illegal aliens.”
Yes, it’s true. Democrats aren’t backing down in their push to protect and support illegal immigrants in LA. During a press conference, Bass signed an executive order directing all city departments to develop “preparedness plans” and refrain from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Bass also highlighted the cash assistance program’s inspiration from former Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Angelino cards,” which distributed cash during the COVID-19 pandemic, KOMO News reported.
Bass, speaking with members from different organizations including CHIRLA and Community Coalition behind her, emphasized the irony that “there is a need for me to sign an executive order to help protect the city from the federal government.”
Bass’ new directive comes days after federal agents descended on crime-ridden MacArthur Park near downtown and ongoing immigration sweeps that “pop up” in the city.
Bass showed up at the park to demand federal officers leave, which was rebuffed by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.
“I don’t work for Karen Bass,” Bovino told Fox News at the time.
ICE agents began serving warrants and detaining illegal immigrants June 6, leading to protests and clashes with police for more than a month.
Under Bass’ executive order, city departments must ensure they are in compliance with Los Angeles’ “sanctuary city ordinance,” which prohibits the use of city resources and personnel in federal immigration enforcement.
“The directive will help city workers know how to address immigration officials should they approach a city department,” she added.
The city also intends to issue a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, demanding that federal agencies provide records of the raids, who was detained and for what reason and where they were taken, local out Spectrum News 1 reported..
Bass noted that the directive aims to help city workers “abide by the law” but understand their rights when trying to help protect workers, contractors and immigrants that are targeted at city events or on city property.
The mayor’s office stated the cash assistance program will be funded through philanthropic contributions, with the city helping to coordinate between philanthropists and organizations distributing the cards.
The Los Angeles Times reported the cash cards could have a “couple hundred” dollars on them, which should be available in about a week, Bass said at a news conference.
Specific qualifications for recipients have not been disclosed. The cards will be distributed through nonprofit organizations, including activist immigrant rights groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA).
Conway Collis, president and CEO of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles, appeared on local outlet FOX 11 Los Angeles, and said the city’s FamilySource Centers and other nonprofit agencies that serve people will help distribute the cards.
The cash aid program is designed to help vulnerable residents—regardless of immigration status—avoid homelessness. Collis said the initiative doesn’t just help those receiving the funds, but it benefits all LA residents by keeping people off the streets.
“There are things that are going really well and the cards are one of them,” Collis said. “This is for documented and undocumented people. It’s for people in need.”
When asked if giving undocumented people cash is incentivizing people to break the law and stay here illegally, Collis responded: “These are our neighbors. The fact is they’re people in LA doing the work. They’re supporting families… they’re people doing a lot of the work in Los Angeles.” The cards are to help ensure “they are living at a reasonable standard.”
