Immigration enforcement officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools — where they were denied entry by school administrators — in search of students on April 7.
The move by DHS is raising alarm bells in the education community over the impact of the Trump administration's immigration policies, as it appears to be one of the first confirmed attempts of immigration enforcement seeking to enter schools since a change in federal policy allowing it.
The incidents involved agents for Homeland Security Investigations, a division within Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, DHS said in an email to K-12 Dive. School leaders at LAUSD's Russell Elementary School and Lillian Street Elementary School checked with their district leadership and legal counsel before turning away the agents. DHS said the officers left "without incident" after school leaders refused to share information on the children without a court order or warrant.
A message from Lillian Street Elementary to its school community following the incident confirms DHS' account.
"We wanted to make you aware that four individuals who identified themselves as representatives of a federal agency came to the main office earlier today. After following District protocols, school administrators denied entry to the individuals, and they left," the message said. "We want to reaffirm the District’s unwavering commitment to the well-being and education of all students."
While only those two elementary schools reported immigration enforcement activity, other schools in the Los Angeles district also sent messages to parents acknowledging the incidents, saying they were "aware of reports of immigration enforcement activity."
"Mental health support is available on campus for impacted students and employees," the message said.
DHS maintains that the incidents were "wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border."
"This had nothing to do with immigration enforcement," said Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, in a statement to K-12 Dive on April 11. McLaughlin said the check was to ensure the children "are safe and not being exploited, abused, and sex trafficked."
Nonetheless, the incidents sparked ire from LAUSD and lawmakers.
"Our schools are places of inspiration, protection, empathy, and knowledge," said LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho in an April 11 statement to K-12 Dive. "Fear and threat shall be met with courage and determination."
Democratic California Sens. Alex Padilla, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff said in a joint statement that they were "outraged that Homeland Security agents attempted to conduct immigration enforcement activities targeting students" at the LAUSD elementary schools.
"ICE and immigration enforcement do not belong in schools — let alone elementary schools — and have no business targeting young children," Padilla and Schiff said in their April 10 statement. "Schools are a place of learning where children deserve to feel safe and supported, not terrified of being arrested regardless of their immigration status or that of their family members."
The lawmakers said they are asking ICE to explain the incidents.
While ICE enforcement has always been a source of anxiety for students and families affected by immigration policies, schools had generally been considered a safe place from raids, especially in sanctuary districts. Previous DHS guidance that was issued in 2011 under the Obama administration and remained in effect for President Donald Trump's first term prohibited the federal law enforcement agency from apprehending students or others on school grounds and other sensitive locations.
However, the current administration upended that guidance just one day after Trump's inauguration, allowing immigration raids on school grounds, hospitals and churches, among other places previously considered "protected areas." Since then, school leaders have reported increased anxiety from students who could be impacted by the policy change.
In February, Denver Public Schools filed a lawsuit challenging the reversal. The lawsuit from Colorado's largest district said attendance had dropped “noticeably” across all its schools, and the policy is hurting its ability to provide education and vital services to children who are now missing school out of fear. That case is still pending in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, with a pre-trial meeting set for April 30.
