by Sharelle B. McNair
February 11, 2026
Bass appears to be following in the footsteps of his fellow Democratic mayors
Mayor Karen Bass is working to “protect Los Angeles” from the federal government by signing a new executive order banning ICE agents and other immigration officials from using city-owned or controlled property, CBS News reported.
Bass signed the order on Feb. 10, saying it was intended to help community organizations and immigrant rights advocates protect the City of Angels, home to hundreds of immigrants, from the federal government, saying what they are doing is not normal. “Let me be clear, this is not normal and will never be normal. It is the opposite of what a federal government should do,” the mayor said.
“What we have seen across all of our districts is ICE attempting to stage on various public or private properties.”
Bass has taken certain actions following the controversial presence of ICE agents in the city in 2025, which sparked massive protests. In July, she asked city governments to develop preparedness plans in the event of federal immigration activity on city property. Through the executive directive, she ordered ministries to establish a designated “immigration liaison person.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, she also called on the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to keep body cameras on while at the federal immigration inspection site and to preserve the footage. While police officers are often on site to ensure ICE presence to keep tensions between agents and community members in check, Bass said the point is to make it clear that “ICE enforcement is not welcome here.” “We have been resisting this since this terror began and we will continue to do so,” she said.
It makes officers work a little harder by directing the LAPD to document the names and badge numbers of supervisors of field agents and emergency personnel when someone is injured and to take reports from the public about suspected misconduct.
Bass appears to be following in the footsteps of other Democratic mayors like Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. In October 2025, Johnson established “ICE Free Zones” to protect city property and private businesses from the agency’s enforcement actions following violent clashes between agents and residents.
The order comes just days after Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny presented a narrative of unity between the United States and other countries during the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show. Bass posted about the performance, calling LA a “city of immigrants.” “Tonight’s halftime show reminded us of what America really looks like – unity, honor, pride and cultures coming together to create something beautiful,” she said on X.
“…It was a powerful reminder that the contributions of immigrants and diverse communities are an integral part of our country’s past, present and future. Here in Los Angeles, we know this truth to our core. We are a city of immigrants. Seeing Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park on the Super Bowl stage was a proud moment for our city. ¡Qué orgullo!”
Tonight’s halftime show reminded us of what America really looks like – unity, honor, pride and cultures coming together to create something beautiful.
Bad Bunny, the first Spanish-speaking Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl, celebrated Puerto Rico on the world’s biggest stage… pic.twitter.com/KPr2yyb2lc
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) February 9
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to insist that under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, the message is clear that DHS will “continue to relentlessly and uncompromisingly enforce the law every day in the greater Los Angeles area,” with a spokesperson claiming that “sanctuary politicians like Karen Bass are trying to demonize law enforcement for their work.”
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