Santa Monica's social media feeds have been awash with unverified sightings of immigration officers in recent days but local officials say the city has not experienced any immigration raids or arrests during the recent sweep of the Los Angeles Area.
Federal law enforcement agencies are not coordinating with local departments on the raids and Santa Monica Police have a noncooperation policy in regards to immigration.
However, SMPD has been fielding calls from citizens who are concerned about potential sightings of federal agents in Santa Monica and there have been multiple posts on social media sites listing potential sightings or reposting other unverified sightings.
SMPD said they have received photos of vehicles driving through Santa Monica but there have been no confirmed instances of arrest or detaining individuals in the city.
An initial wave of postings about agents at local schools was unfounded.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District addressed community concerns in a letter from Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton, acknowledging the anxiety surrounding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the greater Los Angeles area.
"We have heard the rumors circulating about ICE patrols in and around our schools and the Santa Monica community," Shelton wrote. "As of 2:30 p.m. today, these sightings have not been confirmed, and we can assure you that ICE officials are not currently present in or at our schools."
The superintendent emphasized that the district is actively monitoring the situation and maintains direct communication with City of Santa Monica officials and the Santa Monica Police Department. He noted that many families find daily activities like leaving home, using public transportation or bringing children to school "daunting" amid the current climate.
"We want to emphasize that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, along with the City of Santa Monica and the SMPD, remains committed to supporting and serving every single one of our families, regardless of immigration status," Shelton stated.
The district reinforced that schools are safe spaces that cannot be accessed by ICE without a proper warrant. Administrators and office staff have been reminded of critical protocols and guidelines to ensure compliance with these protections.
SMMUSD has established a dedicated webpage titled "Immigration Support & Resources" containing information about rights and resources for concerned families. The district emphasized its core values of "mutual respect, dignity, trust, belonging and fairness" apply to everyone regardless of immigration status, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or political affiliation.
"We will continue to provide access and opportunity to an excellent education and robust social-emotional support for ALL students," Shelton wrote. "The SMMUSD remains a welcoming school district for every child in the neighborhoods we serve."
The superintendent acknowledged the challenging time while encouraging families to reach out to school administration or counselors for questions or support.
Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista issued a community statement reaffirming the department's stance on immigration enforcement. The chief emphasized that SMPD does not participate in civil immigration enforcement, consistent with California Senate Bill 54 and the California Values Act.
"Our officers do not engage in federal immigration operations, do not inquire about immigration status during calls for service, and do not assist federal agencies in civil immigration actions," Batista stated.
The police chief stressed that the department's mission remains focused on ensuring safety and well-being for everyone in the city, regardless of immigration status. He noted that public safety depends on trust and assured residents that when they contact police for help, officers will respond "with professionalism, compassion, and fairness without regard to a person's legal status."
Batista highlighted that racial and ethnic minorities make up the majority of SMPD personnel and expressed pride in serving "one of the most diverse and inclusive communities in the nation."
"We remain committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals who call Santa Monica home," the chief concluded. "We encourage everyone to stay informed, remain calm, and know that the Santa Monica Police Department is here to serve and protect all members of our community equally."
The statements from both the school district and police department come as reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in downtown Los Angeles and other parts of the greater Los Angeles area have created concern among immigrant communities throughout the region.