LA County vows support for immigrants



Supervisors will create a task force to help deferred action applicants even as Obama’s relief programs are halted.

Supervisor Hilda Solis announces the creation of task force to help immigrants applying for deferred action. | D. Solomon

Supervisor Hilda Solis announces the creation of task force to help immigrants applying for deferred action. | D. Solomon

Los Angeles County officials voted Tuesday to put resources in place to help immigrants apply for deportation relief, despite a federal judge’s ruling last week to halt an expansion of the Obama administration’s deferred action programs.

The Board of Supervisors decided in a 4-1 vote to create a task force that would ensure support for the nearly 500,000 county residents who qualify for work permits and legal residency under two new federal programs.

Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, who proposed the task force along with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, said county agencies need to prepare for the likelihood that the federal court ban is reversed. [Read more…]

Push to reduce foster child sex trafficking



Rachel Thomas, a survivor of sex trafficking who founded Sowers Education Group. She testified Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors.  Photo courtesy:  ATVN

Rachel Thomas, a survivor of sex trafficking who founded Sowers Education Group. She testified Tuesday before the Board of Supervisors. Photo courtesy: ATVN

L.A. County Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Don Knabe introduced a motion to require state licensed foster parents to complete annual training that would make them aware of signs that children under their care are being sexually exploited.

Last year, the Department of Children and Family Services received 281 referrals of children being sexually exploited.

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors wants to train foster care staff to prevent exploitation. The training will include identifying victims, understanding their needs and their pattern of behavior.

Watch a video from Annenberg TV News with comments from Mark Ridley-Thomas and Rachel Thomas, a sex trafficking survivor who founded Sowers Education Group.

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