Los Angeles County directs DHS to formalize training, committee after increased immigration enforcement at hospitals

Los Angeles — The County of Los Angeles on Tuesday moved to strengthen protections for patients and staff at county hospitals after supervisors said recent immigration enforcement encounters have strained staff and jeopardized patient safety.

Chair Hilda Solis introduced the motion — coauthored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell — directing the Department of Health Services (DHS), County Counsel and the Office of Immigrant Affairs to form an internal implementation committee, carry out immediate training for DHS staff on the county's civil law enforcement interactions policy, and collect feedback from hospital personnel and community providers to update the policy as needed. "This committee shall collect feedback from DHS staff who interact with patients and civil detention and other community stakeholders to continue to update and approve the DHS policy as needed," Solis said.

The motion responds to what supervisors described as a rise in unannounced enforcement actions. "Nothing in the policies encourages employees to obstruct or block federal immigration enforcement efforts nor encourage unnecessary conflicts with officials," Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said, adding that the purpose is to give staff clarity and protection: "These policies and this training are about fulfilling our promise to create a human rights framework for L.A. County."

Health-care workers and nonprofit leaders urged swift action during public comment. Ben Reynoso, a program coordinator, said the Public Health Council program — which he said has served more than 100,000 workers — needs permanent funding and stronger coordination with county departments. Rebecca Trotski, a Boyle Heights physician, described staff uncertainty during enforcement encounters and asked the board to "take leadership nationally on this issue."

County staff told supervisors the DHS policy provides guidance for interactions with civil enforcement and that the committee should include hospital personnel experienced with such encounters, hospital leadership, County Counsel and immigrant-affairs staff. The motion also calls for engagement with unions, hospital associations and community clinics to share lessons learned and develop best practices.

The board voted on the item after public comment. The motion, moved by Chair Solis and seconded by Supervisor Mitchell, passed on a roll call with Supervisors Mitchell, Horvath, Hahn and Solis voting "aye" and Supervisor Kathryn Barger recording an abstention. The executive motion summary states the committee will oversee immediate staff training, identify best practices and update the DHS policy as needed.

Next steps outlined in the motion include joint implementation planning between DHS, County Counsel and OIA and outreach to external partners to coordinate training and policy application. The board did not set a public date for the committee's first report.

Votes and procedural outcome: Motion approved 4–0, 1 abstention; item moved by Chair Hilda Solis and seconded by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.