Los Angeles officials vow to fast-track ‘sanctuary city’ law after Trump victory

In response to President-elect Trump’s victory last week, members of the Los Angeles City Council are working diligently to expedite a law declaring Los Angeles a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants. This law would prevent federal immigration officials from accessing city databases and using city resources for immigration enforcement. Although the ordinance was initially passed last year, it has been held up in a lengthy legal review and has not yet taken effect.

City Council member Hugo Soto-Martínez, a proponent of speeding up the process, has also urged President Biden to reinstate a program that allows illegal immigrants from Central America to remain in Los Angeles. “More than anything, people are angry,” Soto-Martínez expressed to the LA Times. “They’re agitated and they’re ready to fight back, just like we did in 2016.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. California officials are gearing up to resist the incoming Trump administration on multiple fronts. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the declaration of an emergency special session to bolster the state’s legal response to potential future attacks from the Trump administration.

The special session will specifically concentrate on safeguarding civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families, as per a press release from Newsom’s office. Newsom affirmed, “California is ready to fight. Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate action – we refuse to turn back the clock and allow our values and laws to be attacked.”

Newsom’s actions come shortly after expressing his intent to collaborate with the incoming president. The special session is set to convene on Monday, Dec. 2, with Newsom urging the state legislature to allocate additional funds for the California Department of Justice and other state agencies to mount legal challenges against any unlawful federal actions.

During Trump’s first term, Newsom initiated over 100 lawsuits against the federal government. The allocated funding will facilitate immediate litigation and the pursuit of injunctive relief against any unlawful federal actions, according to Newsom’s office.

This proactive stance by California officials underscores their commitment to protecting the state’s values and laws, particularly in the face of potential challenges from the federal government. The ongoing efforts to solidify the sanctuary status of Los Angeles and strengthen legal defenses against federal actions demonstrate a steadfast commitment to upholding the rights and well-being of immigrant communities in the state.

Anders Hagstrom, a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events, contributed to this report. For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News.