A new report has brought attention to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) as a key organizer behind recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, where demonstrators clashed with law enforcement. California attorney Laura Powell shared findings on social media, alleging that CHIRLA uses taxpayer funds to incite aggressive responses to immigration enforcement actions.
CHIRLA is reported to lead the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network, which monitors ICE operations and mobilizes protestors. Powell emphasized CHIRLA’s ties to Mayor Karen Bass and major labor unions, describing the group as politically influential with a history of taking radical positions, including its role in the 2018 abolish ICE campaign.
Financial disclosures indicate CHIRLA received $34 million in California state funding in 2023, nearly three times its 2022 total. Additionally, it briefly held a $450,000 federal contract, which was later revoked following legal challenges. These figures have intensified scrutiny over whether public funds should support such politically active organizations.
The protests have drawn national attention, particularly with the presence of Rep. Maxine Waters, who openly opposed the deployment of National Guard troops ordered by then-President Donald Trump. At the protest site, Waters challenged military personnel and criticized the use of force in a sanctuary city without coordination with state officials.
The broader controversy raises ethical and legal questions about the role of publicly funded nonprofits in political activism, and highlights tensions between local sanctuary policies and federal immigration enforcement strategies. The situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated.
