Fake ICE agents accused of evoking fear in LAUSD community
Student protests continue, LAUSD warns of fake ICE agents
Hundreds of Los Angeles students walked out for a fifth straight day to protest ICE raids and President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The LAUSD is also warning students about reports of people posing as ICE agents.
LOS ANGELES - Shortly after President Donald Trump began his second term in late January, school districts in Southern California began preparing communities for potential raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Those preparations began after agents were given clearance to conduct raids at certain locations that were once protected, including schools and churches.
Not only are Los Angeles Unified students and their families bracing for possible raids, they now have to worry about those impersonating ICE officers.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho warned the community of fake ICE agents on social media.
"We are aware of reports that individuals alleging to be law enforcement or ICE agents have approached some in our community. This has the effect of generating fear within our communities," he wrote.
The statement continued to read, "Please be advised that falsely impersonating a local, state, or federal agency or law enforcement official is illegal. The District stands in strong condemnation of those who would seek to intimidate or disrupt those in and around our schools and will work in partnership with school police and law enforcement partners to address any and all violations targeted against our school communities."
Several immigration protests have occurred in Los Angeles, including one on the 101 Freeway and others that have involved high school students.
SUGGESTED: ICE raids continue in Southern California despite protests
School Districts prepare students for possible raids
LAUSD, which is the nation’s second largest, began handing out "red cards," to prepare students and their families for what to do in the event that they were ever approached by an immigration officer. The cards are also known as "Know Your Rights" cards.
LAUSD's approach to helping students deal with immigration agents
Students from Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academy in San Fernando held a walkout Wednesday to protest Trump's immigration policies. Just a couple of weeks ago, the L.A. Unified School District began handing out red cards, also known as Know Your Rights cards, to students with information about their rights if ever approached by an immigration officer. LAUSD school board member Nick Melvoin spoke to FOX 11 about the district's efforts to protect students and staff.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- California schools preparing students for ICE agents amid Trump's executive order
- LA school police responds to ICE raids, immigration enforcement
District officials said they have a professional and ethical obligation to protect students’ rights to have access to education.
Santa Ana Unified also put together a training video for students and their families to prepare them for a potential run-in with ICE agents.
"We also want to make it clear that schools are not a place for enforcement, that our children are very young, and this could be a very traumatic experience for students," said Santa Ana Unified communications director, Fermin Leal, late last month. "Not only students who might be a target of enforcement, but students who just might witness some of this enforcement."