By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Bass on deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass mourned the deaths yesterday of legendary director, actor, writer, and noted Hollywood liberal Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner.
The Reiners were found stabbed to death yesterday in their Brentwood home. The double homicide remains under investigation as of post time.
“This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice. An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in service of others,” said Bass in a statement.
“Personally, I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob and his wife Michele. I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. Among his numerous contributions, Rob helped create First 5 California, a landmark initiative funded by a tobacco tax to support early childhood development programs. He and Michele fought for early childhood development and marriage equality, working to overturn Proposition 8. They were true champions for LGBTQ+ rights.
“I want to thank all of the first responders who were called to this tragic event. The investigation is ongoing. I’m holding all who loved Rob and Michele in my heart.”
Padilla pushes to overturn rule ending automatic work permit renewal
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, on Friday joined 10 Senate colleagues in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to reverse a recent Trump Administration rule that ends automatic extensions of work permits for noncitizens.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) interim final rule, announced on October 30, ended the automatic extensions for 18 different categories of noncitizens, including those granted refugee status, asylum status, and temporary protected status, as well as spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants.
Due to long USCIS processing wait times, people who submitted work permit renewal applications on time will be left without work authorization. At the same time, they wait for their applications to be processed — sometimes for many months — risking their ability to work, through no fault of their own, legally. If implemented, the rule would impact 87 percent of all pending renewals of employment authorization documents.
Prior to this new Trump rule, if a person living legally in the United States filed their work permit renewal request on time, they would automatically receive a work permit extension to ensure they don’t lose their authorization while USCIS processes their renewal. The Senators’ proposal would reinstate that commonsense policy.
“Donald Trump and Stephen Miller’s campaign to marginalize noncitizens working here legally is disrupting our entire national economy and devastating employers who rely on their contributions,” said Padilla. “The Administration’s self-defeating rule to deny automatic work permit extensions would force people who have already been vetted to lose their ability to keep working, causing unnecessary strain for immigrants and employers alike. People who have already been screened and authorized to work should be able to keep working, plain and simple.”
Zbur decries deadly antisemitic attack in Australia
Assemblymember and Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu) decried this weekend’s deadly antisemitic attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, which killed at least 11 people and injured dozens more during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.
“Today, we saw another horrific antisemitic act of terror against the Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Jews, including a Rabbi, were murdered at a Hanukkah celebration — a holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness,” said Zbur in a statement.
“My heart aches for the Jewish community right now. And to my fellow non-Jews, I ask: How much longer must the Jewish community sound the alarm and plead with the world to address this clear and growing threat to their safety and lives?
“Now must be a moment of moral clarity, allyship, and action for leaders around the world. We must all stand with the Jewish community, condemn this rising hate, and work across cultural and political divides to stop it.
“My heart goes out to the Jewish community in Sydney, across Australia, and around the world. May the memories of those lost be a blessing.
“Elie Wiesel said, ‘Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must — at that moment — become the center of the universe.’ Today, Bondi Beach is the center of the universe.”
Rivas lauds ICE release of Reseda High School student
U.S. Rep. Luz Rivas (D-San Fernando Valley (portions), including Pacoima, Panorama City) last week lauded the release of Rededa High School senior Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, who was abducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August while walking his dog in Van Nuys.
“I am beyond relieved to see Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz home and reunited with his family – especially his mother – who can tightly hold her son again after months of fear and uncertainty at the hands of an out-of-control ICE,” said Rivas.
“Benjamin and his family should have never been placed in this situation to begin with. The Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda and ICE is forcing communities and immigrant families to live in fear. It is wrong. That is why I am fighting every day for immigrants – conducting oversight at immigration detention facilities, working on immigration casework and alongside immigration groups, and demanding answers.”
“I am glad to welcome Benjamin home, and hope he and his family can begin to heal after a traumatic experience. I will continue fighting to protect our communities and reunite families that have been torn apart at the hands of Donald Trump and ICE’s inhumane and cruel actions.”
The ICE abduction occurred August 8. Guerrero-Cruz was first held at the Los Angeles Detention Center and the Adelanto Detention Center before being transferred to a detention center in Arizona on August 26. ICE did not notify Benjamin’s family of his transfer.
The incident led Rivas to introduce the Immigration Notification for Facility Oversight and Relocation Management (INFORM) Act.
The INFORM Act will require that, within 24 hours, ICE notify the detainee’s immediate family member if the detainee is transferred to another detention center. Current law, rules, and regulations do not require ICE to notify family members when a detainee is transferred. The only instance ICE notifies the family is in the case of death.
