West Hollywood has aligned itself with a legal challenge to ICE raids, advocating for the rights of queer immigrants. In a conversation with the Blade, Mayor Chelsea Byers outlined the city’s firm opposition to what it views as unlawful actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The unanimous decision by West Hollywood’s city council this July to participate in a lawsuit against ICE went beyond routine measures—it represented a push for oversight. The goal was to halt unauthorized partnerships between county jails and federal agents involved in deportations, and to reject involvement in a framework that unfairly affects queer, transgender, Black, Latino, and immigrant populations.
Initiated by the cities of El Monte and San Gabriel, the suit contests ICE’s reliance on detainer holds in California. Such holds direct local facilities to detain people beyond their scheduled release, allowing ICE to take custody, frequently without a warrant from a judge. This approach contravenes the California Values Act, or SB 54, enacted in 2017 to block local authorities from assisting federal immigration operations. As a result, these detainers contribute to wrongful detentions and removals, disrupting families and neighborhoods in immigrant areas.
“We are not going to stand by as ICE tries to continue these unconstitutional practices in our state,” said West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers in an interview with the Blade. “It’s important that we call that out as illegal and take action, which is what this lawsuit is about.”
While West Hollywood has previously opposed ICE, this step to enter the litigation reflects heightened concern. Lately, hostility toward immigrants has intensified, driven by extremist figures who amplify anxieties and promote expulsions, all while eroding protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. For transgender and queer people seeking asylum, this overlap of threats can prove fatal.
“When we think about West Hollywood’s identity as a sanctuary city, that doesn’t just mean we offer support in symbolic ways,” Byers said. “It means that we have to be active when rights are being violated, especially for LGBTQ and immigrant communities.”
The city’s involvement stemmed from sustained advocacy, alliances, and pushback orchestrated by groups focused on immigrant rights and those led by transgender individuals. Key players in this effort include CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and the TransLatin@ Coalition, which have elevated the matter through public awareness and policy influence.
CHIRLA’s attorneys have played a central role in contesting ICE’s detainer methods, contending that the agency routinely disregards state regulations by issuing administrative holds lacking proper basis, effectively co-opting local police into deportation activities.
Established and directed by transgender Latina immigrants, the TransLatin@ Coalition has dedicated more than ten years to fostering strength via support programs, grassroots efforts, and legislative work. Its members understand intimately the ways immigration policies fracture groups and the perils of custody for transgender detainees.
“This lawsuit is ultimately about dignity,” said Byers. “It’s about due process, and making sure that we don’t allow any agency—even a federal agency—to overstep the rights of individuals.”
Beyond mere breaches of SB 54, the litigation addresses California’s authority as a state and the question of whether its protective measures for immigrants will withstand federal interference from an agency often criticized for exceeding legal bounds.
The state’s sanctuary framework was crafted to shield immigrant populations from these very forms of exploitation. Yet gaps in implementation, false information, and subtle coordination between officers and ICE persist in endangering people. The suit aims to eliminate those vulnerabilities permanently.
“This is a matter of California law being upheld. That’s why we joined this lawsuit—to make sure that ICE is held accountable,” said Byers.
While the courtroom battle unfolds, West Hollywood’s participation conveys a strong signal to fellow municipalities: claiming sanctuary status rings hollow without speaking out against ICE’s violations. Mere gestures fall short; true protection demands investment, judicial pressure, and determination to safeguard those most vulnerable.
“To the LGBTQ+ immigrants in our city, we want to send the message that you are welcome here, and that we will stand up for you.”
There is zero chance any court will defer to WeHo over the federal government on issues of immigration. This is performative hand-wringing. Can we just focus on what you were elected to do like solve crime and homelessness!???
Please don’t waste our tax dollars on a ridiculous lawsuit that’s never going to win just to promote your own headline agenda.
Byers is a pathological narcissist who would sacrifice the safety and well-being of the rest of us to the glorification of her own compassion.
I like having this naive and ineffectual mayor. After Shyne and Erickson the people of West Hollywood need a break.
If I miss my parking meter by 3 min, I’m given a hefty weho citation. I MUST pay it or else I get the boot. I want sanctuary parking!!! Free us from the tyrannical weho parking ICE. Why do I have to follow those laws then?!!
That would be the free parking wednesday in WeHo. Unless that has been canceled.
lol. That’s good!!
The city will lose. ICE is deporting those that already have a deportation order from a federal judge or those that have committed a crime(s). Standing up for criminals is a new low for the City Of West Hollywood. It’s this kind of policy that lost them the general election and as California starts to wake up, it’ll start losing them local elections as well. People have had enough.
That is a total lie, is total bullshit, and you should be ashamed for making such a remark that is so unequivocally mistaken. They are arresting people who have committed no crimes, do not have a deportation order, have no criminal record, and are perfectly hard-working people in our community who do grunt work for low wages, all to be slaves to the upper and middle classes. Before you open your mouth or make a comment, do your homework. There’s no excuse for someone being that ignorant. If you live in West Hollywood, get out. We don’t want anybody that… Read more »
“advocating for the rights of queer immigrants. “
You can’t make this up. This city is an embarrassing clown show.
You took the words right out of my mouth
The city knows if they throw the word queer in there that it will get a certain segment of the city’s population all fired up. It’s ridiculous. They play the same card over and over again. Still works in this city and most of CA.
Ham is the right name. You’re a pig anyway.
Thanks for adding to the adult conversation. (eyeroll)
Clearly, you’re one of the dumb fucks the goods on the queer bandwagon