At a press conference on Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass made a surprising claim about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She stated that ICE agents had shown up at a homeless shelter in the city, stirring concerns among residents and local officials. The shelter in question is the Whitsett West Tiny Home Village, located in North Hollywood.
The situation surrounding the incident is unclear. Mayor Bass’s comments came amid heightened anxiety among Angelenos regarding ICE raids targeting immigrants at various locations, including Home Depots and churches. In Los Angeles, which is a “sanctuary city,” local authorities do not assist with federal immigration enforcement, leading to rising tensions with the federal government.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly countered Bass’s statement, calling it "false." They asserted that ICE does not operate in homeless shelters, and described the mayor’s remarks as harmful to law enforcement.
The Whitsett West Tiny Home Village, managed by the nonprofit Hope the Mission, provides shelter for about 150 people. According to Laura Harwood, a deputy chief program officer at Hope the Mission, individuals in a car attempted to enter the tiny home village, claiming to be American citizens wanting to see how their taxpayer dollars were being spent. Security guards denied them access, as the situation seemed suspicious.
Additional reports from staff at the shelter indicated that some individuals were seen taking pictures of the complex from a distance. One worker, who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns about family members who are undocumented, reported spotting two SUVs with Department of Homeland Security markings nearby.
City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian was alerted to the situation and visited the shelter. He mentioned receiving reports of ICE agents in the area, which he described as a potential tactic to instill fear among the community. The targeting of homeless shelters could discourage individuals from seeking shelter or push those already there to leave.
Mayor Bass emphasized the broader context of ICE’s actions, noting that the agency had been seen at various sensitive locations, including schools and emergency rooms. Her comments were meant to highlight the growing fear surrounding immigration enforcement in the city.
Local officials, including City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, are currently working to verify reports of ICE sightings. They have noted that sometimes claims about federal agents being present turn out to be unfounded.
As the situation develops, many in Los Angeles are left grappling with the implications of these immigration enforcement actions and the impact they have on vulnerable communities.