Thirteen people were arrested Friday night during an operation in West Hollywood's Rainbow District, but the presence of unmarked vehicles and recent immigration raids in the area raised concerns about a possible ICE raid.
On Sunday, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were not involved in the arrests.
Multiple social media posts Friday night warned of ICE agents in the Rainbow District, particularly at renowned gay bar The Abbey.
Posts on Instagram, TikTok and X warned people about ICE in the area. A video circulating online showed people cursing at law enforcement officers inside an unmarked white van, hitting the vehicle as it drove away. A sheriff's patrol car could be seen behind the truck.
One person posted a video showing security guards inside the Abbey locking its doors and windows while uniformed officers walked down the street. A separate post showed another bar showing on a screen: “ICE is at The Abbey!”
On Sunday, officials confirmed that immigration enforcement was not being carried out by federal agents, but rather by local law enforcement agents.
Authorities said the Friday night operation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was in response to multiple reports of pickpocketing, drug sales and other criminal activity in the area.
Sheriff's officials did not immediately respond to questions about what charges were related to the arrests.
The activity, said deputy Alejandra Parra, could have occurred in some of the establishments in the area or by unauthorized street vendors.
