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Trump’s mass deportation campaign (a form of “ethnic cleansing”) is intended to devastate our communities in a number of ways. Those who avoid the trauma of detention and deportation face a shrinking economy that is pushing masses of people towards eviction and homelessness. That is why we are calling on the Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles to use their emergency powers to enact an eviction moratorium that can provide comprehensive protection for tenants until ICE is out of LA for good.

L.A. was still recovering from the last crisis caused by the wildfires in January, when on the morning of June 6, the city awoke to a new wave of federal repression. ICE and other federal agents in tactical gear stormed a Home Depot in Westlake, detaining day laborers who had gathered there in search of work. Hours later, more agents descended on Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District, pulling garment workers from their work as families and coworkers cried out their names from the street. This marked the beginning of a summer-long siege. Federal agents fanned out across Los Angeles County, targeting construction sites, home improvement stores, factories, car washes, and even sidewalks where vendors sell fruit and flowers. By July 31, at least 4,310 people had been seized in Southern California. To this day, more than 20 people have been killed by ICE operations across the U.S. 

The raids have also unleashed a profound economic and housing crisis. Entire sectors of the local economy are hollowing out as immigrant workers stay home in fear and small businesses lose customers overnight. Tenants of all backgrounds, across thousands of households,  have lost income and are unable to pay the rent. They face eviction, debt, and homelessness. Landlords meanwhile, are feeling emboldened to harass tenants with threats of calling ICE, driving them out, and exploiting the moment. 

ICE has occupied our City for five months, and they have not signaled that they plan to leave any time soon. Once again abandoned by our political leaders, our communities have taken on the task of organizing rapid response, mutual aid and tenant organizing efforts to protect our neighbors from displacement. But we need a comprehensive eviction moratorium to complement our efforts so that all tenants across the county are kept housed and with adequate funds for healthcare and food. 

The decision to enact an eviction moratorium rests with five women who make up the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. They serve as the legislative body for California’s largest county. On October 14th, after we mobilized, demanded action, and made our voices heard, the Board declared a State of Emergency. That declaration gives them broad powers that include the authority to impose an eviction moratorium. Yet they continue to stall.

The landlord lobby wields enormous influence. By our analysis, the Board of Supervisors collectively has taken nearly $1 million in donations from landlord interests.

So it’s no surprise they’ve stalled. They fear the landlord lobby spending against them. They fear losing reelection. They hide behind concern for “mom-and-pop” landlords, ignoring the outsized influence of corporate landlords in L.A. They’ve long banked on our political disenfranchisement but that time is over. We’re making it clear: this Board is either the solution or the problem. They have a moral imperative to stop this crisis from worsening and to protect our community members from disappearance, displacement, and premature death. 

As we demanded in week one of this crisis, they must pass an eviction moratorium now. The future of Los Angeles rests in their hands. Will they rise to the moment, lead with courage, and stand with the working-class Angelenos against ICE? Or will they side with their landlord donors who align themselves with Trump and openly espouse anti-immigrant views?