Sophia Bush Stands With Mayor Bass Amid ICE Raids
Sophia Bush praises Mayor Karen Bass’s defense of immigrant communities amid ICE raids now.
Image: Instagram
Actress and activist Sophia Bush used her social media platform this week to back Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as ICE raids and partisan criticism swept across the city. In a pre-dawn Instagram post, Bush applauded Bass for championing immigrant communities and upholding constitutional rights in California’s largest metropolis.
Morning Interview With Mayor Bass
Bush shared three images from her crack-of-dawn sit-down with Bass, thanking her team for a “quick turnaround.” The photos show Bush and Bass seated in a well-lit studio at dawn, their expressions serious yet hopeful. In her caption, Bush highlighted Bass’s decades of public health and community-organizing experience and noted that “1 in 9 Americans lives in California, and 1 in 35 Americans lives in LA County. We’re doing something right!”
Standing Up For Immigrants
The post came amid controversial ICE operations targeting immigrant neighborhoods in LA and sharp criticism from conservative commentators accusing the city leadership of leniency. Bush wrote, “We love our neighbors, many of them immigrants. We are proud of our people.” She emphasized that Bass refuses to be cowed by partisan attacks or what Bush called “the President’s authoritarian regime.”
Bass has already drawn national attention for her legal challenges to federal policies. In June, California’s legislature passed SB 615, signed by Gov. Newsom, which prohibits state and local cooperation with certain ICE detention requests—reflecting the mayor’s vow to defend due process and community trust.
La’s National Spotlight
Bush pointed to the scale and peaceful nature of local protests. “Five streets worth of protestors isn’t much for our city to handle,” she noted, adding that law enforcement officers confirmed the demonstrations remained largely non-violent. In an era of viral outrage, Bush’s supportive post reframed the conversation as one about love, unity, and constitutional protection.
Political analysts say LA’s resistance stance is putting the city at the center of national debates on immigration and civil liberties. Last month, Bass’s office filed a lawsuit against the federal government over border-related funding restrictions, arguing that those rules compromise municipal budgets and public safety.
Bush’s Activist Journey
Sophia Bush is no stranger to political engagement. The former Chicago P.D. star has long championed social causes, from gun-control campaigns to gender-policy reform. In April, she joined former White House Gender Policy Council director Jen Klein for a Vital Voices LIVE conversation about Hollywood pressures and policy change. Bush posted highlights from that discussion in another Instagram share (instagram.com/p/DKhiCcTMFc7/), underscoring her track record of holding power accountable.
Beyond policy, Bush has promoted grassroots initiatives. Late last month, she appeared on a panel at PHM HealthFront to discuss investment in women’s sports, alongside Sarah Spain and others—a move reflecting her belief that economic equity drives social progress.
Looking Ahead
As the immigration debate intensifies, Bush’s endorsement amplifies Mayor Bass’s message that protecting immigrant rights is integral to LA’s identity. The actress concluded her post with a rallying cry to fellow Angelenos: “I love you. I love us. I love LA.” Bush’s support signals that celebrity voices remain potent in shaping public opinion on local and national issues.
Bush’s early-morning interview may set the tone for further collaborations between cultural figures and civic leaders. With statewide elections looming, the alliance between Hollywood and City Hall could prove decisive in advancing Los Angeles’s progressive agenda and protecting its diverse communities.
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