LA County Hands Out $1.5M To Small Businesses Economically Impacted By ICE

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors revealed days before Christmas that 367 small businesses “economically impacted” by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were awarded grants totaling $1.53 million.

California began ramping up its pushback against the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration in June, prompting Democrats in the state to pursue legal challenges. On Dec. 23, however, the DEO and Los Angeles County Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis and Janice Hahn announced a new approach, saying the state would now push back through the Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF).

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities and the engine of our local economy. When they face disruption and uncertainty, we must step in quickly to protect them,” said Solis in a press release.

“The Small Business Resiliency Fund is a vital lifeline, giving business owners and their employees the resources they need to recover, rebuild, and continue serving their communities with strength and confidence,” Solis added. “Supporting these businesses isn’t just about dollars—it’s about safeguarding livelihoods, stability, and the future of our local economy.”

According to the press release, Solis and Hahn officially launched the initiative Sept. 29. The motion was first introduced June 17, presenting the fund as a way to support businesses “directly affected by immigration enforcement activities, among other economic resiliency and humanitarian-focused actions.”