The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to make the city a “sanctuary city” in light of the incoming administration’s stated efforts to deport illegal immigrants en masse.

“Sanctuary city” ordinances prevent local law enforcement and city agencies from sharing information about illegal immigrants with federal immigration authorities. The ordinance must undergo a second council vote for procedural reasons. Mayor Karen Bass, who reportedly supports the initiative, holds veto power over this ordinance, according to the Daily Caller.

City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez told the Associated Press that the council’s goal is to send a clear message that undocumented immigrants are protected by the government.

“We’re going to send a very clear message that the city of Los Angeles will not cooperate with ICE in any way,” Soto-Martinez said. “We want people to feel protected and be able to have faith in their government and that women can report domestic violence crimes.”

Soto-Martinez claimed that illegal immigrants work important roles in the Los Angeles area, working as housekeepers, nannies, and cooks.

Such statements were made the same week that a Georgia judge found illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra guilty of attempting to assault and proceeding to murder 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley.

Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan will take over as the “border czar” in the incoming administration. Homan is tasked with overseeing border operations, deportations, security at both land and sea entry points, and aviation security.

Homan has made no qualms about his intentions to engage in mass deportations, starting with the most volatile and dangerous criminals in the country. He intends to bring the estimated 60-50% of ICE officers currently stuck behind desks back to field positions.
Thousands of ICE officers and agents have been assigned to process the millions of illegal immigrants who crossed the border as opposed to making arrests, according to internal sources who spoke with the New York Post.