On June 23, the West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved a groundbreaking policy to defend city officials and employees against federal criminal actions for acts performed within their official duties and compliant with California law. The resolution, prompted by recent federal immigration enforcement actions, aims to safeguard city personnel in a climate of escalating political tensions.
The policy authorizes the City Manager and City Attorney to secure legal defense for officials and employees facing federal charges, provided the actions are within their duties, in good faith, and in the city’s best interests, as per California Government Code Section 995.8. This move responds to incidents like the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and the detainment of Senator Alex Padilla, alongside ICE raids disrupting immigrant communities. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s May 29, 2025, designation of West Hollywood as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” further underscores the need for such protections.
Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers emphasized the urgency of staff discussions to develop contingency communication plans, citing Pasadena’s recent strategy to cancel community programming during ICE raids to ensure safety. The policy, which incurs no immediate fiscal impact, allows the City Manager to contract legal services up to $75,000, with rates subject to City Attorney approval.
West Hollywood’s commitment to inclusion and human rights drives this policy, reinforcing its stance as a safe haven for immigrants and marginalized communities. The council’s action sets a precedent for local governments navigating federal-state conflicts, ensuring officials can serve without fear of retribution.
I have been going to Santa Palm car wash for 26 years. I know the managers and some of the workers. Two Saturdays ago only two workers showed up at opening. One manager who has lived here for 51 years and a citizen for 24 said that all workers are legal and yet they are afraid due to the profiling done by men wearing no ID except a “police” you can buy on Amazon. This is utterly insane and wrong and I am a man without a party, a conservative who was a republican now an Independent who votes for… Read more »
Hello? Trump? I’d like to report…Treason! Hello? ICE? I’d like to report an illegal!!!! Honey, I’ve been 4 times this year even when entering countries legally. I don’t understand why these anarchists expect the US to open its legs wide open to let everyone in. Not even communists are this disorganized.
Guess Anti semite Byers will no doubt need protection as some point in time.
These is ABSOLUTELY THEFT of taxpayer funds for criminals!!!! Who gives a flying F if you violate federal supremacy law and get prosecuted. We live under a constitution and NOT City-States.
This needs to be OVERTURNED immediately!
These people are sickening to the core…They are the EPITOME of Authoritarian Dictators…FAR WORSE than the sh*t they accuse Trump of!!!
Hey, cowboy. Take the next stagecoach out of town and stay there.
Hey C..you do the same…to the graveyard.
WTF. So what do they (city officials) have in store now that will warrant this need?
Turn in the news. Read a newspaper, hey be novel and read the damn article here and stop only looking at the pictures. Really?
The five criminals on our city council should be removed immediately if they need this type of protection. Absolutely shameful. A new low for the grifters.
Just when you think they can’t get any more despicable.
Make work.
If you break federal law, you SHOULD be held accountable. Hell, if you break any laws, you should be held accountable. But we know the far left progressive wackos don’t believe in upholding the law.
Who said anything about breaking the law?
You’re projecting, I fear.
You know what you can do with your fears – tell them to your therapist.
What part of the story did you not get? THAT is exactly what this is about!!
So ridiculous.
Why?