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City of Sanctuary / Mayors Executive Directive 20 / Human Rights Protection

Council File 17-1040

Introduced
2017-09-08
Last changed
2026-05-11
Status
closed
Expires
2021-02-08
Mover
GILBERT A. CEDILLO
Second
MONICA RODRIGUEZ

Brief

On February 8, 2019, the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution (12-0-3) introduced by Councilmembers Gilbert Cedillo and Herb Wesson Jr. directing the Mayor to implement Executive Directive 20, establishing Los Angeles as a sanctuary city. The measure commits the city to protect immigrant residents' rights and limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The resolution passed through the Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee in December 2017 before reaching the full Council.

Full summary

Council File 17-1040 is a resolution formally declaring Los Angeles to be a City of Sanctuary and committing the city to protecting the human rights of all residents regardless of immigration status. Introduced in September 2017 by Councilmembers Gilbert Cedillo and Herb Wesson Jr., with Councilmember Monica Rodriguez as second, the resolution was a direct policy response to federal immigration enforcement priorities under the Trump administration and aimed to codify protections that Mayor Eric Garcetti had advanced through Executive Directive 20. The resolution's core declaration is that Los Angeles protects the human rights of all its residents. In practical terms, the sanctuary city framework it affirms limits local law enforcement and city departments from using city resources or personnel to assist federal immigration enforcement absent a judicial warrant, and restricts city agencies from voluntarily sharing residents' personal information with federal immigration authorities beyond what is legally required. The Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee approved the resolution on consent on December 7, 2017, with Cedillo, Wesson, and Martinez voting yes and Price and Ryu absent. The committee noted support from multiple neighborhood councils, including Arroyo Seco, Los Feliz, and Greater Echo Park Elysian, with Highland Park's council supporting the measure if amended. After the Immigrant Affairs Committee transmitted the file to the Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, the Rules Committee waived further consideration on February 6, 2019. The full Council adopted the resolution on February 8, 2019, by a vote of 12-0-3, and the action became final the following day. No fiscal impact analysis was completed by the City Administrative Officer or Chief Legislative Analyst prior to adoption. The file is marked closed, and the underlying resolution remains adopted city policy. Despite the file's formal expiration in February 2021, community engagement has continued well beyond that point, with the North Westwood Neighborhood Council submitting community impact statements as recently as December 2024 and May 2026, reflecting sustained public interest in the sanctuary city framework.

Activity (15)

  • 2026-05-11 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council.
  • 2024-12-04 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council.
  • 2019-02-12 Council action final.
  • 2019-02-08 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2019-02-06 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on February 8, 2019.
  • 2019-02-06 Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee waived consideration of item .
  • 2017-12-08 Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee transmitted Council File to Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
  • 2017-12-07 Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2017-12-03 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council.
  • 2017-12-01 Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on December 7, 2017.
  • 2017-11-20 Corrected Referral per Council President to include Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committee.
  • 2017-10-20 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council.
  • 2017-10-09 Community Impact Statement submitted by Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.
  • 2017-09-10 Community Impact Statement submitted by Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council.
  • 2017-09-08 Resolution document(s) referred to Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

Documents (15)

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