Motorcycle Rider, Age 19, Fatalities from 21-Meter Fall Off DASH Overpass Close to Shah Alam, as Reported by Police
In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades that destroyed over 16,000 structures and claimed at least 30 lives in January, one resident, Blanca, found herself in a precarious situation. Blanca, an undocumented resident of Los Angeles, lost her clothing alterations business and home due to her undocumented status, leaving her without the necessary aid from federal authorities.
Blanca's rented apartment in Altadena became uninhabitable due to toxic ash and soot, gas, electricity, and hot water issues. Despite the county launching a six-month moratorium on evictions and a $32.2 million financial relief fund for renters and homeowners, Blanca was ineligible for assistance.
The fires' aftermath also saw an increase in ICE raids in Los Angeles, with President Donald Trump ordering a crackdown on undocumented immigrants in January. This has led to increased anxiety and instability for Blanca and many others like her. Undocumented renters are at higher risk of eviction and abuse by unethical landlords, and many who lost their homes in the fire now live in areas with more frequent ICE raids.
Blanca and her neighbours have foregone medical appointments and other day-to-day activities to limit their risk of getting caught by ICE. Officials have encouraged anyone living in or near the burn scar to have their blood tested for lead poisoning, but many have chosen to avoid these tests due to fear of immigration authorities.
The Altadena Tenants Union has sued Los Angeles County to force the public health department to inspect rental properties and compel landlords to conduct fire remediation and meet financial obligations. However, some of Blanca's neighbours returned to their apartments in February before they were cleaned, living without heat or even windows, and exposed to dangerous levels of lead and other carcinogens from ash for months.
The Board of Supervisors has approved a motion to create a cash assistance fund for residents affected by immigration raids and expand an existing assistance program for small businesses. However, details are scant, and it is unclear when these programs will start. The Los Angeles County points to establishing future assistance programs to support residents who were affected by ICE raids and work as undocumented immigrants, including organizing new fundraising campaigns and community mobilization efforts against the raids.
The construction industry's reliance on skilled migrant workers has slowed rebuilding efforts. Displaced tenants are forced to live in neighboring communities where ICE raids have increased anxiety and instability. Undocumented renters tell of landlords and building workers threatening to report them to ICE if they complained about repairs or maintenance.
More than 900,000 undocumented residents live in Los Angeles County. Federal ICE agents arrested over 2,200 people in the Los Angeles area in June alone, using racial profiling in some cases. Despite the challenges faced by undocumented residents, there is a growing movement to support them and advocate for their rights.
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