Immigrants Are Los Angeles (IRLA) Releases 2026 Budget and Policy Priorities for LA County

February 2026

1 min read

LOS ANGELES - Immigrants Are LA (IRLA) announced a set of immigrant-centered funding and policy demands for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors during a press conference held on February 16, 2026, at the steps of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration (LA County Board of Supervisors Bldg).

As Los Angeles County prepares its 2026 budget, the coalition needs to uplift the challenges and needs of the immigrant community in Los Angeles. Immigrants play a critical role in the County’s cultural and economic life, yet many face housing instability, exclusion from safety-net programs, and barriers to accessing services due to language and digital inequities. Community surveys, listening sessions, and engagement with County departments shape IRLA’s annual priorities. They are formalized in a budget and policy request letter submitted through the County’s budget process.

As a member of IRLA's steering committee, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) is helping lead the charge in to advance the 2026 budget and policy demands, uplifting the challenges that immigrant individuals and families residing in LA county. As part of IRLA’s steering committee, PWC takes part in the strategy and execution of campaigns that urge the LA County Board of Supervisors to allocate more resources for immigrant communities. 

Among its top demands, IRLA is calling for stronger housing protections, including a freeze on rent increases during the State of Emergency, converting rent debt into consumer debt to prevent evictions, raising the threshold for evictable rent debt to $25,000 during the emergency, and establishing a permanent Emergency Rent Relief Program.

The coalition is also proposing a two-year, $8.3 million Guaranteed Basic Income pilot to provide $1,200 per month for 24 months to immigrant seniors age 65 and older who are excluded from federal and state cash assistance.

In addition, IRLA is urging full implementation of the Countywide Language Access Policy and expanded investments in community-based translation, interpretation, and digital equity programs to ensure immigrant communities can access County services. These investments would not only protect vulnerable residents but also strengthen Los Angeles County as a whole.