Bass Defends Sanctuary LA: 'Can't Rebuild Without Illegal Labor'

Paul Riverbank, 7/21/2025LA Mayor Bass defends sanctuary status, citing illegal labor's role in city rebuilding efforts.

Los Angeles Grapples with Immigration Crossroads

The streets of Los Angeles tell a complicated story these days. Mayor Karen Bass, caught between federal pressure and local realities, faces mounting questions about the city's estimated one million undocumented residents. It's not just politics anymore – it's about economics, public safety, and the soul of a city.

I watched Bass's recent ABC appearance with particular interest. When Martha Raddatz pushed for clear answers about undocumented residents, the mayor pivoted to practicalities. "We have entire sectors of our economy that depend on immigrant labor," she said, pointing to post-fire reconstruction needs. Classic political dodge? Perhaps. But it highlights the genuine complexity facing urban leaders today.

The federal government's recent pullback of National Guard troops and Marines – about 4,700 personnel in total – marks a shift in the enforcement landscape. Bass opposed their presence, but here's what's fascinating: this withdrawal comes just as the city prepares for global spotlight moments with the World Cup and Olympics on the horizon.

Let's dig into the numbers for a moment. The Biden administration has logged roughly 10.8 million border encounters, plus an estimated two million "got-aways." These figures dwarf anything we've seen in recent history. But raw numbers don't tell the whole story – they never do in immigration debates.

Public opinion? It's all over the map. A recent CBS News poll caught my eye: 56% of Americans think current enforcement targets non-dangerous individuals rather than serious offenders. The partisan split is stark – 85% of Republicans back current detention policies. But here's what's really interesting: overall support for deportation programs has dropped from 59% to 49% in just five months.

Heather Mac Donald from the Manhattan Institute raises an intriguing point about "lawlessness breeding lawlessness." While provocative, this view oversimplifies the complex relationship between civil disobedience and policy reform throughout American history.

Bass's reference to past bipartisan reform efforts hits home for anyone who's covered Capitol Hill. I remember those negotiations – promising starts, collapsed deals, and the lingering question: What if?

Looking ahead, Los Angeles faces a practical test of principles versus pragmatism. Bass calls current enforcement a "reign of terror" while simultaneously seeking federal cooperation. It's a delicate dance many city leaders perform these days, balancing local autonomy with national imperatives.

The solution? If history's any guide, it won't come from either extreme. Cities like Los Angeles might just show us how to navigate between absolute positions – finding workable answers in the messy middle where most real progress happens.

But then again, I've covered enough political battles to know that sometimes the most obvious solutions are the hardest to achieve. Welcome to modern American democracy – where simple questions rarely have simple answers.

Los Angeles Grapples with Immigration CrossroadsThe streets of Los Angeles tell a complicated story these days. Mayor Karen Bass, caught between federal pressure and local realities, faces mounting questions about the city's estimated one million undocumented residents. It's not just politics anymore – it's about economics, public safety, and the soul of a city.I watched Bass's recent ABC appearance with particular interest. When Martha Raddatz pushed for clear answers about undocumented residents, the mayor pivoted to practicalities. "We have entire sectors of our economy that depend on immigrant labor," she said, pointing to post-fire reconstruction needs. Classic political dodge? Perhaps. But it highlights the genuine complexity facing urban leaders today.The federal government's recent pullback of National Guard troops and Marines – about 4,700 personnel in total – marks a shift in the enforcement landscape. Bass opposed their presence, but here's what's fascinating: this withdrawal comes just as the city prepares for global spotlight moments with the World Cup and Olympics on the horizon.Let's dig into the numbers for a moment. The Biden administration has logged roughly 10.8 million border encounters, plus an estimated two million "got-aways." These figures dwarf anything we've seen in recent history. But raw numbers don't tell the whole story – they never do in immigration debates.Public opinion? It's all over the map. A recent CBS News poll caught my eye: 56% of Americans think current enforcement targets non-dangerous individuals rather than serious offenders. The partisan split is stark – 85% of Republicans back current detention policies. But here's what's really interesting: overall support for deportation programs has dropped from 59% to 49% in just five months.Heather Mac Donald from the Manhattan Institute raises an intriguing point about "lawlessness breeding lawlessness." While provocative, this view oversimplifies the complex relationship between civil disobedience and policy reform throughout American history.Bass's reference to past bipartisan reform efforts hits home for anyone who's covered Capitol Hill. I remember those negotiations – promising starts, collapsed deals, and the lingering question: What if?Looking ahead, Los Angeles faces a practical test of principles versus pragmatism. Bass calls current enforcement a "reign of terror" while simultaneously seeking federal cooperation. It's a delicate dance many city leaders perform these days, balancing local autonomy with national imperatives.The solution? If history's any guide, it won't come from either extreme. Cities like Los Angeles might just show us how to navigate between absolute positions – finding workable answers in the messy middle where most real progress happens.But then again, I've covered enough political battles to know that sometimes the most obvious solutions are the hardest to achieve. Welcome to modern American democracy – where simple questions rarely have simple answers.