Fact Check: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is handing out cash cards like Halloween candy to illegal immigrants — while 16,000+ wildfire victims who lost their homes and businesses are STILL waiting for help. 🔥 Only 12 rebuilding permits have been issued. TWELVE. 🔥 Entire communities reduced to ashes. 🔥 Taxpaying Americans left in a bureaucratic chokehold.

Fact Check: "Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is handing out cash cards like Halloween candy to illegal immigrants — while 16,000+ wildfire victims who lost their homes and businesses are STILL waiting for help."

What We Know

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently announced a plan to provide cash assistance to individuals affected by immigration raids, particularly those impacted by the Trump administration's policies. The aid will be distributed through cash cards, which are expected to provide “a couple hundred” dollars to eligible families, with the funding coming from philanthropic sources rather than city funds (Los Angeles Times, L.A. Magazine). This initiative is part of a broader effort to support immigrant communities and uphold the city’s sanctuary policies, which prevent local resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement (Fox News, New York Post).

In contrast, the situation regarding wildfire victims in Los Angeles is dire. Reports indicate that over 16,000 individuals who lost their homes and businesses in recent wildfires are still awaiting assistance. As of April 2025, only 12 rebuilding permits had been issued, highlighting significant bureaucratic delays in providing relief to these victims (Budget Summary).

Analysis

The claim that Mayor Bass is distributing cash cards "like Halloween candy" is an exaggeration. While it is true that cash assistance is being provided to undocumented immigrants, the program is specifically targeted at families directly affected by immigration raids, not a blanket distribution to all immigrants. The funds are sourced from philanthropic partners, which distinguishes this program from direct taxpayer-funded aid (L.A. Magazine, Newsweek).

On the other hand, the assertion regarding the plight of wildfire victims is supported by factual data indicating significant delays in the issuance of rebuilding permits. The claim that only 12 permits have been issued is accurate, reflecting a broader issue of bureaucratic inefficiency that has left many victims without timely assistance (Budget Summary).

The sources reporting on both the cash assistance program and the wildfire recovery efforts vary in reliability. Mainstream media outlets like the Los Angeles Times and L.A. Magazine are generally considered credible, while more politically charged outlets like Fox News and the New York Post may exhibit bias, particularly in their framing of the cash assistance program (Fox News, New York Post).

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While it accurately reflects the existence of a cash assistance program for immigrants, it mischaracterizes the nature and scope of the program by suggesting a widespread and indiscriminate distribution akin to "Halloween candy." Additionally, the plight of wildfire victims is indeed severe, with bureaucratic delays significantly impacting their recovery efforts. Thus, while both elements of the claim have a basis in truth, the framing and implications require careful consideration.

Sources

1. BUDGET SUMMARY
2. L.A. will provide cash assistance to immigrants affected by ...
3. Bass orders cash assistance for immigrants affected ...
4. Karen Bass Launches Cash Card Aid for ICE Raid Victims - LAmag
5. Los Angeles To Give Cash Assistance to Immigrants ...
6. LA Mayor Bass provides cash payments to illegals, issues ...
7. LA Mayor Karen Bass signs order to provide cash ...
8. L.A. County to create fund for immigrants affected by ICE ...