In one such alarming incident, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents tried to gain entry to two separate elementary schools in Los Angeles on Wednesday. This event serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions that exist between federal immigration policies and local school districts. The agents hoped to meet face-to-face with all 10 students from Lillian Street Elementary and Russell Elementary. These students were in grades first through sixth. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, denied them entry, asserting a moral responsibility to protect the children.
DHS agents are moving to enforce actions after shocking recent policy reversals by the Trump administration. The national Immigration and Customs Enforcement changes removed restrictions preventing immigration agents from accessing “sensitive areas,” such as schools. During the Biden administration, these restrictions were implemented to protect our most vulnerable communities, especially unaccompanied minors. In January, DHS rescinded guidance that barred agents from these sensitive locations.
DHS agents claimed that their intention was to conduct welfare checks on the students. This was done, of course, in the name of protecting the students from exploitation or abuse. They claimed to have received consent from the minors’ custodians to interact with them. Still, Carvalho said he was puzzled by why such actions would be needed.
“I’m still mystified as to how a first-, second-, third-, fourth- or sixth-grader would pose any type of risk to the national security of our nation,” – Alberto Carvalho
Tito Carvalho, Chief of Criminal Investigations at the NYPD, pointed to the importance of keeping schools safe havens for learning—not fear. He underlined his commitment to protecting students, reflecting on his own experience as an undocumented immigrant who entered the United States at 17.
“Schools are places for learning. Schools are places for understanding. Schools are places for instruction. Schools are not places of fear.” – Alberto Carvalho
In response to the incident, LAUSD is now moving to equip students with “Know Your Rights” cards. These cards specifically help students understand their rights when dealing with immigration authorities. Of note is that the school police department promised in no uncertain terms that they wouldn’t work with DHS agents on that front either.
Local leaders have voiced their concerns over the potential impact of such federal actions on school attendance and student well-being. Congresswoman Judy Chu shared her outrage over the “intolerable” situation.
“I’m absolutely incensed that DHS agents would try to enter elementary schools this week, and I’m so grateful to the brave LAUSD administrators who denied them entry. These are children who should be learning to read and write, not cowering in fear of being ripped away from their homes,” – Judy Chu
Chu further cautioned that parents would be less willing to send their kids to school if they are afraid of deportation. She urged six million Angelenos to unify to defend children against what she called “deportation squads.”
As the Trump administration insists, it just takes faith in law enforcement agencies to act with good discretion in these circumstances. In response, a DHS spokesperson told us that their top priority is keeping children safe. They’re reuniting kids with their families as often as possible.
“Unlike the previous administration, President Trump and Secretary Noem take the responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to reunite children with their families,” – Department of Homeland Security
Many community members remain skeptical about the implications of these policies for students and families within the LAUSD.