Federal agents U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were reported in the Whittier area on Monday amid the ongoing feud between Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump over the presence of National Guard troops in Southern California, triggering reports of sightings both confirmed and unconfirmed.

City officials confirmed that federal immigration authorities were present in the Whittier Public Library parking lot and in front of Whittier City Hall Monday morning. In a statement, Shannon DeLong, assistant city manager, confirmed the agents were no longer at the Civic Center, even as residents reported sightings around the city.

Commenters on the online Facebook page Whittier Neighborhood Watch posted photos and information on what appeared to be agents with ICE spotted at a car wash, market, church and at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area.

DeLong said federal agents did not inform the city of their arrival, and that it did not receive any advance alerts regarding ICE activity. It is also not housing ICE detainees and it not working with any federal immigration agencies.

Police Chief Aviv Bar reiterated the Whittier Police Department does not enforce civil immigration laws and does not coordinate with ICE on such operations.

“Our community members should never be afraid to call us whenever needed, as our officers do not inquire about immigration status,” he said.

“We understand how stressful and upsetting this is for many in our community,” DeLong said. “We urge residents to remain calm, avoid confrontation, and prioritize personal safety.”

The statement was echoed in other cities and communities, where local leaders and police officials clarified what they can and cannot do about civil immigration enforcement. Community members said weekend immigration raids in Los Angeles, which resulted in arrests of workers at their place of work or at gathering spots such as Home Depot, rounded up many without criminal records.

Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, D-Whittier, called the raids “vile,” as she spoke at a briefing with other Southern California assemblymembers Monday.

“We will not let this stand,” Calderon said. “What breaks my heart is, we’ve seen this before.”

Sen. Bob Archuleta said the unannounced presence of federal immigration authorities in Whittier is concerning, as are similar incidents reported across Los Angeles.

“Actions like these create fear, confusion, and unnecessary tension in neighborhoods built on trust and inclusion,” Archuleta said. “Let us affirm who we are as a people, resilient, compassionate, and committed to the safety and dignity of every family who calls Senate District 30 home.”

He commended the city for keeping residents informed and updated, calling the situation “a moment that demands steady leadership, open communication and unity.”

The city of Montebello and the Montebello Police Department reassured residents that police officers do not hold individuals on ICE detainers without a valid judicial warrant and do not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations.

“There is no need to fear contacting us, our officers are here to help you,” the statement read. “The Montebello Police Department stands with the values of fairness, respect, and service to all.”

Community activist Andrew “Drey” Shibari, 40, who runs the Whittier Neighborhood Watch Facebook page, with more than 16,000 members, amplified the call for a protest Monday “to let ICE know they are not welcome here.”

“We intend on being peaceful,” Shibari said of the gathering planned at Whittier City Hall. “To the residents who support ICE, I say, it’s your God-given right as an American to believe the way you do. But that doesn’t mean it’s right all the time. At one time, we set the example for the world. Let’s show we have empathy, love, and commitment to the pursuit of happiness.”

The 20-year resident of Whittier decried the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, adding he is the son of an immigrant and that immigrants only want a better life for their children.

Whittier City Councilmember Mary Ann Pacheco released a statement Sunday assuring residents that law enforcement is monitoring the situation.

“I am committed to advocating against the harassment and unconstitutional detainment of anyone in Whittier,” she wrote. “In moments like these, it’s more important than ever that we look out for one another.”

Pacheco included the contact information for Legal Rights for Immigrants (ilrc.org), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (chirla.org) and the Whittier Police Department’s non-emergency line.

News that the Whittier Swap Meet was cancelled Sunday amid fears of ICE enforcement is false, said event organizer Moses Escalona in a phone interview. More than 100 vendors usually set up at the weekly open-air event held at the parking lot of California High School in Whittier.

“It was a miscommunication, we had no information on ICE but we weren’t going to have that many vendors, it would be a slow day,” Escalona said about the cancelation, adding the swap meet will return on June 15. “I understand that it’s the talk of the town. We’re happy to be in the news, but not for the wrong reason.”