Homeland Security agents denied entry to 2 LAUSD elementary schools
Department of Homeland Security agents were denied entry into two South Los Angeles elementary schools earlier this week, according to a district spokesperson.
The incidents happened on Monday at Lillian Elementary School and Russell Elementary School. A message sent to the community attending both schools stated that the agents "identified themselves as representatives of a federal agency" before administrators turned them away.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said the agents were conducting "wellness checks" on the children who arrived at the Mexico-U.S. border alone.
"These HSI officers were at these schools conducting wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border," the spokespersons said. "This had nothing to do with immigration enforcement. DHS is leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure that they are safe and not being exploited, abused, and sex trafficked."
At a news conference Thursday morning, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said when the school principals asked for identification, the federal agents identified themselves as Homeland Security agents, not Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
He also said in both instances the agents asked the principals about specific students who ranged between first and sixth grades.
"My very first question starts there, what interest should a Homeland Security agent have in a first grader?" Carvalho said.
The Department of Homeland Security also controls ICE, whose deportation operations have garnered concerns from migrants in LA.
Carvalho explained that the agents told the principals that the caretakers of the individual students had authorized them to go to the school, which he said was confirmed to be a falsehood.
"No federal agency has the authority, short of a judicial warrant, that means the equivalent of a criminal subpoena to enter our schools," Carvalho said.
He said he was proud of the principals and other staff at the schools for following the training they've been given.
After reaffirming its "sanctuary" resolution in November 2024, LAUSD enacted protocols for students, staff and parents following President Trump's executive orders signed before the immigration crackdown. The protocols included "Know Your Rights" cards to guide families if immigration agents approached them and mandated that school administrators be trained on how to respond if agents appear at or near their campuses.
"We want to reaffirm the District's unwavering commitment to the well-being and education of all students," the district said in the email to the South LA elementary schools. "Please note that our website lausd.org/weareone is available 24/7 with resources regarding the District's policies and 'Know Your Rights' updates."
