Newly appointed LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has publicly announced that the Los Angeles Police Department will not participate in mass deportations ordered by the Trump administration. Speaking passionately at a recent press conference, McDonnell declared, “LAPD officers will not take action to determine a person’s immigration status, and will not arrest someone for their status… Los Angeles is a city of immigrants, and I want the people of Los Angeles to know my viewpoint.”
McDonnell’s commitment to the immigrant communities of Los Angeles comes as Tom Homan, a key architect of Project 2025 and former ICE Director, was tapped as the new Trump administration’s new border czar. Homan’s appointment is highly controversial given his history of implementing policies like family separations and his public statements advocating for “the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen.” For McDonnell, however, the focus remains clear: “We would alienate much of our community by doing anything like [mass deportations]. We have no interest or desire to do any of those kinds of things. We’re here to keep everybody safe in all communities throughout our city.”
During the press event, McDonnell was asked about potential federal pressure on the LAPD to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He responded firmly, emphasizing that the LAPD’s approach is based on building trust within its diverse community. “They know where our schools are, how we operate in Los Angeles, as in many other urban areas across the country. We’ve got our rules, we’ve got our values. We’re going to move forward the way that we’ve done… for many years now.”
Homan’s return to power, alongside Trump’s stated intention to involve the National Guard and military in enforcing immigration policies, has drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates and elected officials nationwide. Trump's vision relies heavily on the use of military force, which he has described as necessary to counter what he calls an “invasion.” In his speech, he outlined plans to invoke the 1789 Alien Enemies Act to justify these deportation actions. Under Project 2025, even naturalized citizens, immigrants legally residing in the U.S., and children of immigrants born on U.S. soil could face deportation.
McDonnell’s refusal to align the LAPD with federal deportation policies signifies a significant clash between local and federal law enforcement agendas. The LAPD Chief’s stance reflects the deep-seated values of a city built by immigrants. However, the Trump administration’s Project 2025 aims to enact sweeping policies with the potential to disrupt families, businesses, and communities across the country. As McDonnell stated, “When they call the LAPD, there is no additional risk as far as immigration status. It’s all about us providing service to you.”
With McDonnell’s declaration, Los Angeles joins other cities in resisting federal mandates that many believe could harm their communities and sever the ties built through decades of trust. As Trump and Homan push for expanded deportation efforts, local leaders like Chief McDonnell stand as protectors of community integrity and civil rights, drawing a line between the pursuit of public safety and federal overreach.
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