Sheriff Luna's Stand on Immigration Enforcement Amid Protests in LA
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna made it clear that his department will not be involved in immigration enforcement, reaffirming that it is outside their jurisdiction. In an interview with ABC 7, Luna stated that despite recent crackdowns on immigration during President Donald Trump’s administration, his department's policies have not changed. He assured the public that the sheriff's department will not assist in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including immigration sweeps. "I can assure people that we are not going to participate in (ICE) sweeps," he said. Luna emphasized that immigration enforcement is a federal issue and not a responsibility of local law enforcement.
He also pointed out that the sheriff's department is facing staffing shortages and does not have the resources to assist in immigration enforcement. "For an immigration challenge, that is a civil immigration issue; it’s a federal law enforcement issue," Luna explained. "We in local law enforcement have our hands full."
Luna’s statement comes amid a wave of protests against Trump’s immigration policies that have swept across Los Angeles County. Since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, there has been a surge in ICE deportation raids, leading to public outcry. Protests organized by groups like the Freedom Socialist Party and the Community Self-Defense Coalition have been frequent in the area, particularly near City Hall. One demonstration on February 3, 2025, turned violent when a 17-year-old was stabbed during a clash. The victim was rushed to the hospital, and a suspect, described as a male between 15 and 18 years old, was detained in connection with the incident.
Despite the violence at some protests, Sheriff Luna has encouraged peaceful demonstrations. "We always encourage if people are going to protest, to exercise their First Amendment rights, to do it peacefully: no violence, no destruction of property," he said. His comments reflect a desire for civil discourse during this time of heightened tensions over immigration policy.
As the Trump administration continues to ramp up deportations, local residents are feeling the impact of increased immigration enforcement, and protests show no signs of slowing down. Sheriff Luna’s stance, consistent with the sheriff’s department's longstanding policy of non-cooperation with ICE, may help reduce tensions in the community. However, it remains to be seen how local law enforcement will continue to balance its duties while navigating this controversial and sensitive issue.
