May 12th, 2010
11:01 PM ET

Los Angeles passes Arizona boycott over immigration law

The Los Angeles City Council overwhelmingly approved a boycott of Arizona-based businesses and governments Wednesday unless the state repeals a new law giving police the power to question a detainee's immigration status.

Several other California cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, have already adopted resolutions requesting city departments to not sign any new contracts with Arizona companies.

The Arizona law requires immigrants to carry their registration documents at all times and allows police to question individuals' immigration status in the process of enforcing any other law or ordinance.

The Los Angeles resolution passed Wednesday said Arizona's new immigration law "encourages racial profiling and violates Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of due process and equal protection for U.S. citizens, legal residents and visitors who are detained for suspicion of being in the country unlawfully."

The city's legislative analyst reported that Los Angeles currently has $56 million in contracts with companies headquartered in Arizona.

The city's Harbor Department, which has $26 million of such contracts, is opposing the resolution, the report said. This includes money for the "Clean Truck Program," it said.

"The Harbor does not recommend rescinding this incentive program due to adverse effects this action would have on the environment and public health," the analyst wrote.

The resolution also prohibits city employees from traveling to Arizona "unless special circumstances can be demonstrated" that canceling a trip would "harm city interests."

The National Council of La Raza announced a boycott last week against Arizona's $18.6 billion tourism industry because of the new law, and called on other groups to join. Nearly 30 organizations have come on board, including the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, People for the American Way, the Japanese American Citizens League and the Service Employees International Union.

Critics of the law say it will lead to racial profiling, while supporters say it involves no racial profiling and is needed to crack down on increasing crime involving illegal immigrants.

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Filed under: Arizona • Immigration • Politics
soundoff (707 Responses)
  1. TammyB

    Actually, with as broke as California is, this may just be the excuse they need to get out of a few contracts. It isn't like they actually know how to run their State or cities as most are broke/bankrupt. We actually may have been paid in IOU's or stones, or whatever they could scrounge up.

    June 2, 2010 at 2:12 pm | Report abuse |
  2. stlinmiddle

    Oh joy a state 45 billion in debt, high crime high taxes, high unemployment, tons of illegals, we need you leadership. Get Bill Maher, and Nancy P together and have one big hug.

    June 2, 2010 at 4:09 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Frank

    Is LA still part of the US. How can you boycot AZ from trying to protect the USA?

    June 2, 2010 at 4:25 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Carmen

    I think the problem is still going to exist weather they bring more help or not, the problem lies within AZ officials, considering they r the ones that r making a quick buck by letting drugs pass and buying guns from AZ police!

    June 3, 2010 at 1:42 pm | Report abuse |
  5. martin

    Ummm, this wins the Meaningless Gesture of the Year Award. How many people in Los Angeles travel to AZ? Not many. What are they going to come here for? The weather? HA! Los Angelenos are hardly the state tourist board's target audience. Now, ask the question the other way: How many Arizonans go to Los Angeles. A lot. Most of the state goes to CA during the summer to get a break from the heat and visit the beach. Lots of those people are now steering clear of Los Angeles and visiting those many other municipalities in CA that aren't raging hypocrites and racist La Raza supporters. Most of the people I know won't even use LAX as a local air destination since there's other regional airports that cost the same and give the same or better access. Congratulations Los Angeles! You should qualify for the Self-Inflicted Injury Award, too. LMFAO

    June 7, 2010 at 2:52 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Joseph Lundberg

    I understand why California wants to boycott Arizona
    They are scared of getting illegals to join the Land of Nuts and Fruits
    and I am not talking about any plants

    June 26, 2010 at 11:19 pm | Report abuse |
  7. john lovato

    How do you expect L.A. to read a bill if it ain't in Spanish? Have you not heard, all the illegals are leaving California and moving to L.A.... what part of illegal do you not understand PEOPLE! WAke up

    August 2, 2010 at 2:07 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Wrinkle Treatment :

    Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has been a major figure in music for five decades :

    October 31, 2010 at 1:06 pm | Report abuse |
  9. floyd

    Arizona and every all other states should move everything out of California because of
    Los Angeles city council.

    The question came up on the internet: Was the killing of Ben Laden legal. DAM RIGHT IT WAS!!!

    May 11, 2011 at 7:37 am | Report abuse |
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