On July 11, 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass signed Executive Directive No. 12 in response to recent federal immigration enforcement operations in the city. The directive outlines a comprehensive strategy to support immigrant communities and ensure that all City departments and personnel uphold existing local laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The directive follows federal immigration actions in Los Angeles, including raids and visible law enforcement activity in areas such as MacArthur Park. City officials have raised concerns over the impact of these actions on families, local businesses, and public services. The City has also initiated legal action against the federal government, challenging the constitutionality of these operations.
Key actions outlined in the executive directive include:
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Preparedness Planning: All City departments are required to develop and implement preparedness plans within two weeks, detailing department-specific protocols and training to comply with Ordinance 188441. This ordinance prohibits the use of City resources in support of federal immigration enforcement.
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Contractor Compliance: Departments must work with City contractors to ensure that any personnel working on City property are informed of and compliant with the City’s Ordinance.
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Monitoring and Reporting: Each department’s designated Immigrant Affairs Liaison must report any federal immigration enforcement activity that occurs on City property.
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Community Resources: Departments are directed to identify and expand services for families affected by immigration enforcement, and disseminate information through multilingual media channels.
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Federal Records Request: The Mayor’s Office will file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to obtain details about recent enforcement actions, including dates, locations, arrest records, and federal officer identification protocols.
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Public Information: The City’s Information Technology Agency is tasked with updating 311 to include multilingual “Know Your Rights” information and resources for residents.
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LAPD Working Group: A new working group led by the LAPD, in collaboration with the Police Commission and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, will engage with immigrant rights organizations and community leaders. The group aims to gather feedback and develop additional LAPD guidance regarding federal immigration enforcement.
This directive builds on longstanding City policies such as LAPD’s Special Order 40, in effect since 1979, which prohibits officers from initiating action based solely on immigration status. It also reinforces the City’s legal commitment under the California Values Act and Ordinance 188441, enacted in December 2024.
The full text of Executive Directive No. 12 is available via the Mayor’s Office.
