Los Angeles Moves to Protect Immigrants and LGBTQ Students as Tensions Rise with Trump
Los Angeles, the second-biggest city in the U.S., is preparing to defend immigrants and LGBTQ students as it faces a possible clash with President-elect Donald Trump.
Many families in LA include undocumented members, and the city council plans to pass a “sanctuary city” law, which stops local resources from being used to help federal immigration crackdowns, according to the BBC.
Public schools in LA are also working on emergency plans to protect immigrant and LGBTQ students. This includes declaring schools as safe zones where students won’t face deportation threats.
School officials are also pushing for lessons to teach students about current events and the challenges immigrants face.
Trump, who takes office in two months, has promised to deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants. His immigration advisor, Tom Homan, has said cities like LA must “get out of the way” of federal immigration efforts.
However, LA leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass, are moving quickly to make sanctuary policies official city law. BBC reports these policies aim to stop federal agents from accessing city facilities or using local resources for immigration enforcement.
This fight is not new. During Trump’s first term, cities like Boston and New York also vowed to block local support for deportations.
According to the BBC, LA schools and other districts nearby have declared themselves “safe havens” for students since Trump’s earlier election.
LA school board president Jackie Goldberg told the BBC that the district would stand firm against what she called Trump’s “anti-immigrant and anti-LGBTQ+ agenda.” She added, “We won’t live in fear. We’ll fight back.”
In California, schools are legally required to accept all students, regardless of their immigration status. Officials cannot ask students about their legal situation.
The BBC highlights that these efforts in LA reflect the city’s commitment to supporting its diverse community, no matter the federal government’s stance.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gx7rd4nj7o