Key Takeaways:
* The Los Angeles County has dedicated millions of dollars to support immigrants and transgender residents.
* Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn have pushed for a $5.5 million allocation for legal services for immigrants.
* Supervisor Lindsey Horvath has advanced a $7 million pilot program supporting organizations serving the transgender community.
Support for Immigrants Top Priority in L.A. County
As the potential of a new Trump administration looms, the governing board of Los Angeles County acts decisively. The deep-blue county decided to allocate millions of dollars towards bolstering support for immigrants and transgender residents. This action springs from fears these communities could face targeted policies by the new authority.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell commented on the new wave of resistance-themed motions in response to the impending regime’s negative rhetoric. The motions concern immigrants living illegally within the country and those in the trans community. She described it as “surreal” to find California on the defensive against another possible Trump stewardship.
A notable motion from Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn seeks $5.5 million of persistent funding for immigrant legal services. The passed 4-0 motion also calls for a county task force focusing on federal immigration policy. Furthermore, it mandates the development of an informative campaign to educate immigrants about their legitimate rights.
The proposal anticipates the challenges that residents will face in the coming months. Solis points to an increase in heartfelt calls for legal aid to her office. She encapsulates the desperate situation by saying, “We’ve seen this playbook. We know what the consequences can be.”
Addressing the Board’s Sole Republican’s Concerns
Despite the unanimous vote, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the board’s only Republican, abstained. She reiterated an ongoing immigration issue, noting desperate migrants residing in Skid Row tents. Her sentiments were, however, about the current crisis and not the prospective one.
She expressed concerns about presenting the situation for what it is. She revealed that some families find conditions at Skid Row better than where they came from. Still, many advocates praised the county for taking rapid, decisive action following their promise to make the region a haven for immigrants.
L.A. Embraces Being a Sanctuary City
Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles moves towards declaring itself a sanctuary city. The city would forbid its employees from getting involved in federal immigration enforcement. This mirrors similar steps the county took during Trump’s first term. Despite these strides, however, the immigrant community lives in fear.
Pilot Program for Transgender Support Groups
In a unanimous decision, the county passed another significant motion. Supervisor Lindsey Horvath advanced the motion, creating a meaningful support plan for organizations serving transgender residents in L.A. County. With a budget of $7 million over two years, advocacy groups like the TransLatin@ Coalition have long sought this funding.
The program is projected to allocate $4.5 million to groups that offer varying services to the trans, gender-expansive, and intersex community. Preferably, these organizations will be led by TGI individuals. Also, the program counts for $2 million to contract an external administrator to manage grant applications. The administrator will also help enhance the capacity and training of the chosen organizations.
Funds Resist Discriminatory Policies
The proposed funding comes at a crucial point. President-elect Trump recently proposed that the U.S. should recognize just two genders — male and female — assigned at birth. He has further stated that federal money should not fund gender transition. This move could limit transgender people’s access to necessary medical procedures.
Horvath highlights that the L.A. County pilot program supports the LGBTQ+ community to not just survive, but thrive in their circumstances. She insists it’s not merely about solidarity, but about giving this community appropriate resources. However, others express caution, arguing that the pilot program is discriminatory and that funds could better support small-business owners.
Nonetheless, the board unanimously passed the proposal. Supervisor Barger, who initially expressed concerns about the program’s logistics, eventually voted for the proposal. These measures make it clear that L.A. County is prepared to stand with its immigrant and transgender residents in the wake of potential policy shifts.