Kamlager-Dove introduces bipartisan bill to strengthen U.S.-Africa ties
U.S. Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Culver City, View Park-Windsor Hills, parts of South LA) and Young Kim (R-CA) and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) yesterday reintroduced the bipartisan Young African Leaders Initiative Act, legislation to make permanent the State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
YALI is the United States’ signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. With a median age of 19, the continent is home to the world’s youngest population. Recognizing the immense potential of this rising generation of change-makers, YALI was launched in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa.
This legislation also reaffirms the United States’ commitment to investing in Africa’s youth, promoting initiatives to enhance leadership skills, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen U.S.-Africa people-to-people ties.
“The Young African Leaders Initiative has been a cornerstone of America’s commitment to Africa’s future since 2010, and I’m proud to support its ongoing efforts through the bipartisan, bicameral YALI Act,” said Kamlager-Dove.
“Despite historic bipartisan support, the Trump Administration has proposed a 40% cut to YALI’s budget, jeopardizing a program that has proven effective in strengthening democracy, building communities, and fostering people-to-people ties. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa under 30, now’s the time to invest in—not retreat from—emerging leaders who will play vital roles in solving global challenges. We must pass the YALI Act to protect this crucial program and reaffirm the United States as a strong partner in Africa’s future.”
Hahn addresses the partially collapsed tunnel
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker all rushed to the scene in Wilmington this week of the partial collapse of a tunnel being bored by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts as part of the Clearwater Project.
The collapse trapped 27 workers, with four others later entering the tunnel to assist them. All 31 workers were eventually safely evacuated from the tunnel.
“We are blessed that all of those men made it out and made it home to their families. Most people in the Harbor Area communities didn’t even realize that this tunnel was being bored beneath them, but these men go to work every night to build this critical infrastructure project for our region. I am so grateful that they are home safe tonight,” said Hahn, who serves on boards of directors for LA County Sanitation Districts.
“As the sanitation district, we will be looking into exactly what caused this, and will do everything we can to prevent anything else like this from happening again.”
Downey supports residents impacted by ICE Raids
The Downey City Council approved several actions this week to support impacted community members and affirm the City’s focus on public safety in response to recent immigration enforcement operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the region.
“These actions reflect Downey’s continued commitment to protecting public safety,” said Mayor Hector Sosa. “We are taking meaningful steps to support those impacted in our community.”
As part of its actions, the City Council approved the following:
$25,000 Allocation for Local Assistance
The City Council approved the allocation of $25,000 from the General Fund to assist individuals and families impacted by recent ICE activity. A total of $15,000, distributed as $5,000 each, will be awarded to three local organizations: Desert Reign Church, Food Help; Downey PTA Helps; and Downey First Christian Church-Food Help to support food bank services. The remaining $10,000 will be provided to Community Legal Aid SoCal to host four resource workshops for Downey community members and businesses.
Legislative Platform Update
The City Council amended the City’s legislative platform to include support for comprehensive immigration reform. The updated platform, along with a letter from the Downey City Council, will be sent to the City’s federal representatives to advocate for the City’s position on the issue.
Additionally, the council passed a resolution affirming the City’s role in protecting the rights of residents, clarifying that the Downey Police Department does not participate in immigration enforcement, and calling for federal operations to respect due process and community safety.
For information and resources on federal immigration related FAQs, visit: www.downeyca.org/yourights.
Paramount joins Civil Rights lawsuit amid Fed Immigration Raids
The Paramount City Council voted unanimously this week to intervene in a recent federal lawsuit, Perdomo, et al. v. Noem, et al., filed on July 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The vote came in a closed-door session and comes in light of recent unlawful federal operations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across Los Angeles County. Paramount will join other concerned cities within Los Angeles County that have experienced significant economic and public safety impacts as a result of ICE’s unlawful enforcement activities.
The lawsuit alleges that since early June 2025, federal agents have conducted sweeping immigration raids throughout the region, violating civil rights by indiscriminately targeting individuals based on race or ethnicity, often without warrants or legal justification.
Reports cite unlawful detentions, denial of legal counsel, and inhumane treatment of those taken into custody. These unlawful enforcement activities harm local communities when residents are fearful of leaving their homes and law enforcement resources must be redirected.
By joining the lawsuit, the City of Paramount aligns itself with a growing coalition of cities and counties advocating for transparency, accountability of the federal government, constitutional protections, and human rights in immigration enforcement efforts. The Paramount City Council intends to protect the civil rights of its residents. It remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the safety, dignity, and rights of all who live and work in our community.
The City encourages community members to contact trusted local organizations and immigration legal services for support through our Immigration Humanitarian Services program.
For more information and a list of resources, please visit https://www.paramountcity.gov/know-your-rights-immigration-resources/.
