Both encouraged residents to access resources, including the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs and the city’s Safe at Home page
The mayor of Santa Monica and the superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District issued statements Monday addressing community concerns over reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the greater Los Angeles area, emphasizing their commitment to protecting all residents regardless of immigration status.
Mayor Lana Negrete acknowledged the “anxiety and fear” felt by immigrant communities following heightened immigration enforcement across Los Angeles. In a statement released at 2:03 p.m., she reiterated the city’s 2016 resolution, reaffirmed in December 2024, to protect all residents. “Santa Monica does not and will not assist federal immigration authorities in enforcing immigration laws,” Negrete said, citing compliance with California’s SB54, the California Values Act of 2017, which limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to cases involving criminal arrests.
Negrete also addressed concerns about potential unrest, referencing past incidents like the May 31, 2020, protests and the January 2025 wildfires. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has increased staffing to monitor for enforcement activities or protests, she said, while stressing that the city respects the right to peaceful protest. “Individuals taking advantage of the situation to loot or vandalize within our city will be subject to arrest and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she added.
In a separate letter to parents, guardians, staff, students, and community members, SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton sought to quell rumors of ICE patrols near schools. “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,” Shelton wrote. He noted that the district is in direct communication with city officials and the SMPD to monitor the situation.
Shelton emphasized that SMMUSD schools are “safe spaces” where ICE cannot enter without a proper warrant, and district staff have been reminded of relevant protocols. The district’s Immigration Support & Resources webpage offers information on rights and support for families. “We remain committed to supporting and serving every single one of our families, regardless of immigration status,” Shelton said, underscoring the district’s core values of mutual respect, dignity, and fairness.
Both officials encouraged residents to access resources, including the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs and the city’s Safe at Home page, to understand their rights. The city and school district are collaborating with civil rights organizations, legal aid attorneys, and immigration advocates to support vulnerable residents.
