As the neighboring city burns, the LA suburb strengthens its sanctuary city policies.

While parts of Los Angeles are engulfed in flames, Long Beach city council members have decided to strengthen their sanctuary city policies, pledging to stand firm against President-elect Trump's plans for mass deportations.

Long Beach has become part of a growing group of Democrat-controlled cities and states that are pledging to oppose the Trump administration's efforts to tighten immigration laws. The measure includes a provision to allocate an additional $200,000 in city funds to provide free legal representation to immigrants facing deportation.

The Long Beach Post reported that the council voted to strengthen the "Long Beach Values Act" on Tuesday.

Before the vote, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, a Democrat, stated: "We are preparing for an administration that has challenged some of our values and beliefs."

"Richardson stated that the upcoming years would be challenging, but he was confident that as long as they continued to work together and support one another, they would overcome it. Regardless of who held power in Washington, Richardson believed that they had a responsibility to uphold their principles and ensure the safety, visibility, and protection of all residents, regardless of their beliefs or background."

The "Long Beach Justice Fund" now has an additional $200,000 in funding, bringing the total amount available for legal representation against removal to $1.3 million.

The measure prohibits third-party city contractors from sharing city data with federal immigration enforcement and requires other city authorities to comply with the Long Beach Values Act.

The local immigrant rights activist group Órale celebrated the measure's passage, calling it a "significant step towards true sanctuary status that will tangibly improve our community members' lives."

The Long Beach Post reported that a memo by Deputy City Manager Meredith Reynolds warned city officials that Long Beach stands to lose millions in federal funding if they do not cooperate with immigration authorities, despite Richardson's projection of confidence in resisting Trump's agenda.

In November, Tom Homan, Trump's incoming border czar, informed Planet Chronicle that local officials who hinder ICE or federal officials from enforcing the law will face repercussions.

Homan stated that it is a felony to harbor and conceal an illegal alien from ICE, so do not cross that line.