Officials arrive, refusing to enter Los Angeles schools amid immigration concerns
Federal officials arrived and were denied entry into two l..a. Unified Elementary School confirmed this week, confirmed Wednesday, as it was the first instance of U.S. authorities trying to enter Los Angeles public schools amid concerns over immigration enforcement.
According to messages sent to parents and others, two people arrived at the main office of Lillian Street Elementary School on Monday and determined they were “representatives of federal agencies.” I also appeared at Russell Elementary School. Both schools are located in the Florence-Graham neighborhood in southern Los Angeles.
A LAUSD spokesman confirmed Wednesday that the people came from the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security investigation department, not agents for immigration and customs enforcement. District officials did not disclose why the people were there or posted other details about the visit.
“After following the district agreement, school administrators denied entering individuals, they left,” school officials said in a statement to both school communities. “We would like to reaffirm the region's strong commitment to the well-being and education of all students.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security could not be contacted immediately for comment.
On Wednesday night, Los Angeles School Supt. Alberto Carvalho made a brief statement about the incident.
“Our school is a place of inspiration, protection, empathy and knowledge,” Carvalho said. “Fear and threat should be full of courage and determination.”
“This is only two schools that report activities. It seems our agreement is working,” a Los spokesman said in an email to the Times.
A LAUSD spokesman said other schools sent “preventive messages” to their school community, which referred to “reports of immigration enforcement activities.”
Rockdale Elementary Principal Stefani Williams sent a message to her Eagle Rock School community, saying: “Loughs tells us they know about reports about immigration enforcement activities.”
Immigration agents without a warrant do not have to be given an opportunity to enter the K-12 campus. The state has prepared guidance to help school districts comply with guidance that restricts state and local participation in immigration enforcement activities.
The district has asked employees to receive training on the assistance or documents they cannot or should not provide to federal immigration authorities.
Carvalho said he hopes he can keep the agents completely away from campus, preparing for immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
“Is there any legal process that cannot be performed on campus that cannot be completed outside of school? We do not think it is necessary or appropriate,” he said in January. “We do not want any federal entity … it should be possible to use schools to enforce immigration policies, which is a period of time.”
The Los Angeles Board of Education passed a series of resolutions that stated that Los Angeles unification will become a shelter for immigrants.
