Payam Javan: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an executive directive to provide cash assistance to undocumented immigrants in the city, a move that comes in the wake of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and anti-ICE protests. The mayor justified her decision by stating that Los Angeles is “a proud city of immigrants” and that the city aims to deploy all available resources to support these communities against what she described as the “chaotic approach” of the Trump Administration. The directive also establishes a working group, including the LAPD and immigrant rights organizations, to guide police response to immigration enforcement activities, emphasizing a commitment to defending the rights of Los Angeles residents.

The White House has sharply criticized Mayor Bass’s initiative, with a spokesperson expressing disbelief and likening the policy to a satirical headline. The spokesperson highlighted the success of recent ICE actions in detaining criminals and rescuing children from exploitation, contrasting this with Bass’s focus on aiding undocumented immigrants. The administration further condemned the move as a “pathetic stunt” by Democrat politicians, reiterating their “America First” stance and suggesting that such policies are out of step with the will of the American people who elected President Trump.