Immigration officials attempted to enter two elementary schools in Los Angeles this week but were refused entry by school administrators, local education authorities confirmed.
Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said at a press conference that agents from the Department of Homeland Security were seeking five pupils in first through sixth grades. The principals of Lillian Street and Russell elementary schools asked for identification and denied the agents access.
The incident marks the first known attempt by the Trump administration to enter city schools since it rescinded guidance that prevented immigration enforcement in 'sensitive areas' such as schools. The Department of Homeland Security said it was conducting welfare checks to ensure the children were not being exploited, and that it had reunited nearly 5,000 unaccompanied children with relatives since the policy change.
Carvalho, who entered the US without documentation at age 17, said he felt a moral duty to protect students. '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,' he said. The district later contacted the children's caretakers, who denied authorising the agents to speak with the pupils.
Democratic Congresswoman Judy Chu condemned the attempt, stating she was 'absolutely incensed' and concerned that parents might keep children home for fear of deportation. Los Angeles Unified is a sanctuary district and does not cooperate with federal immigration agencies.
