ISTANBUL

The Californian county of Los Angeles on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in response to ongoing raids by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying federal actions have disrupted local economies and caused widespread fear among immigrants.

The measure, approved in a 4-1 vote by the county’s Board of Supervisors, allows the county to mobilize additional resources to support residents who say they have been financially affected by ICE operations, according to ABC News.

County officials said Los Angeles is home to more than 3 million immigrants and that the raids have “caused widespread fear” and led to “decreased attendance at workplaces, disruption of local economies, and strain on critical services such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.”

“What’s happening in our communities is an emergency — and Los Angeles County is treating it like one,” said County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath in a statement. “Declaring a Local Emergency ensures that the full weight of County government is aligned to support our immigrant communities who are being targeted by federal actions.”

Anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles

Protests against ICE operations have been ongoing in Los Angeles since June. Demonstrators called for the release of detained undocumented immigrants, and clashes at times broke out between protesters and law enforcement.

US President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to control the situation in Los Angeles, blaming Democratic officials for the unrest.