LA County Urged to Boost Rent Protections for Immigrant Families

Advocates call for increased eviction thresholds and basic income for senior immigrants

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Immigrant advocates in Los Angeles County are urging the Board of Supervisors to consider housing stability measures for immigrant communities, including increasing the county's tenant eviction threshold from one month to two months of fair market rent. The advocates argue that heightened federal immigration enforcement has led to job loss, reduced work hours, and family separation, undermining household incomes and increasing the risk of sudden rent nonpayment and displacement among immigrant families.

Why it matters

The motion highlights the profound housing affordability crisis facing LA County, with immigrant communities being disproportionately impacted by rising rents, discriminatory immigration enforcement, and economic instability. Increasing tenant protections and providing a guaranteed basic income for immigrant seniors are seen as critical homelessness-prevention strategies.

The details

The motion under review calls for the county to increase the eviction threshold under the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance. Immigrant advocates argue that many families are being pushed towards eviction not because they are unwilling to pay rent, but due to job loss, reduced work hours, and fear of immigration enforcement. The county has previously declared a local emergency related to federal immigration actions and preventing evictions.

  • The LA County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to discuss the motion on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • If approved, the motion would be taken up by the board for another vote within 30 days.

The players

Hussam Ayloush

CAIR-LA, IRLA co-chair, who spoke on behalf of immigrant advocates ahead of the board meeting.

LA County Board of Supervisors

The governing body that will consider the motion to increase the tenant eviction threshold.

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What they’re saying

“Across Los Angeles County, immigrant and refugee families are facing rising rents, rampant discriminatory immigration enforcement and growing economic and housing instability.”

— Hussam Ayloush, CAIR-LA, IRLA co-chair (cbsnews.com)

“We are calling on Los Angeles County to create a guaranteed basic income pilot program so immigrant seniors can age with dignity, stability and choice. This is not a handout; this is a recognition of their many contributions.”

— Hussam Ayloush, CAIR-LA, IRLA co-chair (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

If approved, the increase of the Los Angeles County tenant eviction threshold motion would be taken up by the board for another vote within 30 days.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for greater housing protections and economic support for immigrant communities in Los Angeles County, who are disproportionately impacted by rising rents, discriminatory enforcement, and job instability. Increasing the eviction threshold and providing a guaranteed basic income for immigrant seniors are seen as critical steps to prevent homelessness and ensure these families can remain in their homes.