By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Gomez floats bill to block Trump’s attempt to take Greenland
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) yesterday introduced the Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit federal funds from facilitating the invasion, annexation, or any other form of acquisition of Greenland by the United States.
The bill comes amid President Donald Trump suggesting the United States could seek to assert control over Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark and a home to more than 50,000 people.
“Greenland is not for sale, not for conquest, and not a bargaining chip,” said Gomez. “Threatening to seize territory from an ally undermines basic international law and destabilizes one of the United States and the world’s most important alliances in NATO. This bill draws a clear line: Congress will not fund Donald Trump’s imperial fantasies.”
The Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act would:
- Ban federal funding for any activity that supports or facilitates the invasion, annexation, purchase, or acquisition of Greenland by the United States.
- Prohibit increases in U.S. military presence or financial investment in Greenland above current levels, absent explicit congressional authorization.
- Block any type of U.S.-funded influence or information campaigns intended to sway the political self-determination of the Greenlandic people.
- Require any waiver of these prohibitions to be enacted through explicit future legislation that directly references the Act.
The United States already maintains defense cooperation with Greenland and Denmark through longstanding agreements and NATO. The legislation does not intend to alter those commitments but prevents any unilateral effort to seize or acquire Greenland outside existing international frameworks.
Barger shepherds four new teen centers to North County parks
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Northern LA County including Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) yesterday saw the full Board of Supervisors approve more than $4 million in funding for four new teen center projects to be constructed by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation in northern Los Angeles County.
The projects will create dedicated “Our SPOT and Well-Being” teen-centered spaces at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, Pamela County Park in Duarte, Stephen Sorensen Park in Palmdale, and Jackie Robinson Park in Littlerock. Together, the projects represent an investment of $4,164,000 in youth connection, recreation, and well-being.
“These teen centers will serve as important community assets that give young people a place to safely socialize and feel supported,” said Barger. “At a time when many young people are feeling isolated, creating welcoming spaces where they can build relationships and engage with their peers is more important than ever. I wholeheartedly support these projects and the positive impact they will surely have in our communities.”
The Department of Parks and Recreation will incorporate features such as accessible paths of travel, seating, shade structures, lighting, landscaping, and recreational elements designed to encourage healthy social interaction. Construction is anticipated to be completed by August 2026.
Horvath, Solis establish ICE-free zones on County properties
Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath (D-Western and San Fernando Valley areas including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Calabasas, Malibu, Universal City, Sherman Oaks, Panorama City, Pacoima) and Chair Hilda L. Solis (D-Central and Eastern Los Angeles including Downtown LA, East LA, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, El Monte, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Pomona) yesterday saw the full Board of Supervisors unanimously approved their motion initiating the development of an ordinance to establish ICE-Free Zones across County-owned and County-controlled properties.
The Board action directs County Counsel to draft and return an ordinance for Board consideration within 30 days.
As federal civil immigration enforcement increasingly occurs in public spaces nationwide, the approved motion begins the formal legislative process to ensure County property is used solely for its intended public purposes and is not used as staging areas, processing locations, or operations bases for unauthorized civil immigration enforcement.
“Los Angeles County will not allow our public property to be used by ICE to cause harm and to frighten people away from receiving services and support,” said Horvath. “Across this country, civil immigration enforcement has too often turned deadly, and that fear follows people into parks, clinics, and public buildings. When residents are scared to seek care or show up in public spaces, something is deeply wrong. We may not control federal enforcement everywhere, but we do control our own property. That is why we are taking action to ensure our public spaces remain safe, accessible, and free from fear.”
“Our communities continue to navigate uncertainty, danger, and trauma as the Trump administration’s immigration raids target Angeleno families,” said Solis. “As actions escalate across the country, here in Los Angeles County, we remain committed to exploring every option available to safeguard our communities. Fear, danger, and recklessness have no place here.”
If adopted by the Board, the proposed ordinance would prohibit County-owned and County-controlled property from being used for unauthorized civil law enforcement activities, require clear signage on County properties, establish a permit process for civil enforcement operations, and preserve lawful criminal law enforcement and the execution of valid judicial warrants.
Rubio’s ‘Keep Courts Safe from ICE Act’ pushes remote testimony
State Sen. Susan Rubio (D–Alhambra, Baldwin Park, El Monte, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, South El Monte, West Covina) yesterday introduced the Keep Courts Safe from ICE Act (SB882) — legislation that would allow immigrant families involved in legal proceedings to testify remotely to keep Immigration and Custome Enforcment (ICE) agent from targeting them when they show up for court.
Rubio said the measure comes to protect families and community members from ICE while simply trying to do the right thing by participating in the justice system.
“Families should be able to show up to their required court hearings without fear, intimidation, or the risk of harm to themselves or their loved ones,” said Rubio. “Time and time again, people are told to do it the right way — to show up, to comply, to follow the process — and they are. Yet they are still being targeted and attacked for doing exactly that. Families have been torn apart, fear has been normalized, and now an innocent mother, who panicked and tried to remove herself from harm, is dead. That alone should stop us all in our tracks.”
SB 882 would require California state courts to allow a party or witness to appear remotely at a civil or criminal court hearing, trial, or conference through January 31, 2029.
The bill is designed to minimize altercations, save taxpayer money, and reduce fear and barriers to participation by ensuring that people who want to appear, testify, or support loved ones in court are not forced into situations that make them feel unsafe.
Rubio brings unique insight to this issue. Over the past year, she has appeared remotely in court more than a handful of times to testify in her third Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) case, relying on remote participation to protect her safety while ensuring her voice was heard in the justice system.
