Congressional democrats hold hearing in LA, call for investigation of possible 'civil rights violations' by federal agents
Almost six months after the immigration raids began in Los Angeles, congressional Democrats held a field hearing Monday to bring accountability, help families locate their loved ones, and highlight what they call a majority of unlawful detentions by the Trump administration.
Mayor Karen Bass and Rep. Robert Garcia led a march before the hearing in downtown Los Angeles to gather testimony from people impacted by immigration enforcement.
"In this county, no one is above the law and the constitution protects everybody. The constitution clearly states due process is afforded to all people. Not just U.S. citizens," said Long Beach Congressman Robert Garcia, the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
A large group of community and faith based organizations, along with Bass and Garcia, marched from La Placita Church to the congressional field hearing, dubbed "Due Process for All: Exposing Trump's Mass Deportation Machine."
"We want to establish a record because when the political winds change, we want to hold those accountable,'' Bass said during the rally. "We want transparency and accountability for all of the egregious unconstitutional acts that are taking place.''
The congressional field hearing is to investigate what many have denounced as civil rights violations by immigration authorities.
During the hearing, Bass said the session "addresses a crisis that we cannot ignore.''
"Los Angeles will not stay silent while Angelenos' rights are violated,'' she said. "We are here to demand accountability. We are here to demand transparency and we are calling on Congress to act before more families are torn apart.''
Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket said, "I think it's absolutely imperative that I stand-up for the immigrants in our communities. Whether it's mine or on the whole other side of the country."
"They need to know we have their backs and that what you're seeing from the federal government is the worst of us. I need them to see the best of us," she added.
During the hearing, members of congress heard from local elected officials, immigrant rights organizations, and families who have had their lives turned upside down.
That includes Jasmin, who testified she hasn't seen her husband since June.
"My kids cry going to sleep asking for his father. I still don't know what's going to end. Is he going to be out or not? Spend Christmas with his family. I just want everybody to know that we're here. We're not criminals. We're here for a better future for our family, our kids," she said.
Garcia said the aim of the hearing was "to do real oversight of the Trump administration.'' He said the president and other top administration officials "are causing terror not just in Los Angeles and L.A. County, but across the country.''
He said more than 170 U.S. citizens have been detained during ICE operations.
The Trump administration has maintained that federal immigration enforcement focuses on the removal of "violent criminals'' and the "worst of the worst.'' Federal officials have also denied allegations that detainees are mistreated or held in substandard facilities while in custody. They also deny claims that people are being arrested without probably cause.
Democrats on the committee conducting the hearing said they're confident they'll be successful in the 2026 midterms, allowing them to conduct investigations into the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations.
"We're going to be able to have the power to subpoena witnesses. Bring people in, actually do something that has more power to it. We also have the strong people of the budget to do something and not fund those," said Congresswoman Nanette Barragan.
By establishing a record, Democrats on the committee say they can put policies in place to make sure the ICE raids never happen again.
City News Service contributed to this report.
