Dafuq?
Executive Directive 17
Executive Directive 17 (ED-17), signed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on February 10, 2026, is a municipal order designed to limit the use of city-owned property by federal immigration agents and increase transparency during immigration enforcement operations. The directive mandates that city property cannot be used as staging areas, processing locations, or bases of operation for federal agents and requires the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to preserve all evidence, including body-worn camera video, related to immigration enforcement scenes.
Key provisions of ED-17 include:
-
Prohibition of City Property Use: Federal immigration agents are barred from using any city-owned or controlled property for enforcement activities, with signs posted at locations like parks and libraries to enforce this boundary.
-
Evidence Preservation: LAPD officers responding to immigration enforcement scenes must activate body cameras and preserve the footage, referring any felony matters to the California Attorney General.
-
Anti-Masking Compliance: The directive provides guidance on implementing state laws that prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks, aiming to ensure visible identification.
-
Private Property Fees: The City Planning Department is directed to prepare an ordinance imposing fees on private property owners who allow their sites to be used for immigration enforcement.
-
Contractor Disclosure: The city is initiating a process to ensure contractors disclose in writing whether they have agreements with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The directive, which builds on previous measures like Executive Directive 12, has faced criticism from federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, who have labeled the move "legally illiterate" and stated the signs have no legal weight against federal authority.