ICE presence in Seaside debunked.

Recent posts purporting to show a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle parked outside The Butter House restaurant in Seaside, and people handcuffed by ICE officers, have been circulating among locals on social media. 

The Solidarity Network Monterey County, a volunteer-led organization of legal observers who monitor immigration enforcement activities, and Seaside Police both refuted these posts and believe that they were most likely AI-generated.  

“At a time of heightened reports of ICE detentions in other areas of California, the creation of these images is irresponsible and creates confusion, stokes fears and affects local businesses as well,” the Solidarity Network said in an Oct. 8 statement.

In a statement, Seaside PD said they reached out to the federal agency and confirmed ICE wasn’t in the city. 

Both agencies encouraged the community to call them first to verify suspected immigration enforcement action. “We ask our community to refrain from sharing any images and call our hotline to verify ICE activity,” the Solidarity Network said. 

There are unconfirmed reports stating the Trump administration launched "Operation Safe California," a 45-day, large-scale ICE operation across the state targeting undocumented immigrants with or without criminal records. The Washington Examiner reported this operation started several days ago in San Diego.

Gov. Gavin Newsom labeled it a "campaign of fear." 

"Trump is using mass deportations to TERRORIZE diverse communities out of legally voting—ordering his secret police to 'go after everybody,'” Newsom said on X on Oct. 8.

Local businesses in some Southern California cities have reported lower foot traffic and sales since news of Operation Safe California began, according to news reports. 

San Diego has experienced an uptick of ICE enforcement in the past three months. In September, ICE detained San Diego City College student Renatho Casseus near SDCC's campus and chased a second student onto campus. 

Following this incident, the San Diego Community College District installed signs at its campus entrances prohibiting immigration enforcement on its property.

A recent UC Los Angeles-UC Berkeley study said nearly 15,000 people have been detained by ICE in 2025 and 2026. The study reviews cases from the Los Angeles ICE field office, which covers seven counties: four in Southern California, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside, and three on the Central Coast: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.