(NewsNation) — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has called the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in the city “egregious attacks.”
Bass and Rep. Robert Garcia, along with immigrant rights leaders, said in a statement that they are calling for “accountability for the unlawful detention of U.S. citizens and immigrants by federal agents.”
“Mayor Bass has stood united with L.A.’s immigrant communities under attack by the federal administration,” a statement read.
In a news conference on Monday, Bass drew attention to the undocumented immigrants within the city being detained by ICE and said they are Angelenos who contribute to the well-being of Los Angeles. She also said there have been instances of 170 U.S. citizens being detained.
“This shows that it can happen to any of us at any time,” Bass said. She added people must continue to draw attention to ICE operations and document any instance of injustice being committed by federal agents.
Garcia, who is a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said the committee, in conjunction with the Senate, will be putting together an investigative unit to look at instances of ICE misconduct, as well as looking into the in-custody deaths of people who were detained by ICE.
The first hearing will be held in Los Angeles, although a date was not provided by Garcia during Monday’s conference.
“We’re here to remind Trump, Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller that they will be held accountable for their actions against the community and violations of the Constitution,” Garcia said.
He also accused Noem and President Donald Trump of terrorizing communities across the country with the crackdown on immigration.
Bass has criticized the Trump administration’s targeted immigration enforcement since it began in June and has hit back at President Donald Trump’s use of the National Guard in California. Trump sent nearly 5,000 members of California’s National Guard and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles after protests broke out in the area.
In September, a federal judge found Trump’s use of troops was illegal and said the move violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of military force for domestic law enforcement without the authorization of Congress.