By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security were turned away from two elementary schools in South Los Angeles earlier this week after attempting to conduct wellness checks on students, according to Los Angeles Unified School District officials.
The incidents took place Monday at Lillian Elementary School and Russell Elementary School. A message sent to families of both campuses stated that the agents identified themselves as representatives of a federal agency before being denied entry by school administrators.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the agents were conducting wellness visits on children who had previously arrived alone at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“These Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers were at the schools to conduct wellness checks on unaccompanied minors,” the spokesperson said. “This operation had no connection to immigration enforcement. The purpose of these checks is to ensure the children’s safety and confirm they are not being exploited, abused or trafficked.”
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho addressed the situation at a news conference Thursday morning, stating that when principals asked for identification, the agents clarified they were from Homeland Security but not from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Still, Carvalho raised concerns about the agents’ interest in young students, ranging from first to sixth grade.
“My first question is, what business does a Homeland Security agent have with a first grader?” Carvalho asked.
The Department of Homeland Security oversees several federal agencies, including ICE, which has sparked fear among immigrant communities due to its deportation operations.
According to Carvalho, the agents claimed the children’s caregivers had given them authorization to visit the schools. However, school officials later determined that this was not true.
“No federal agency has the authority to enter our schools without a judicial warrant — equivalent to a criminal subpoena,” said Carvalho. “That’s a standard we will defend.”
The superintendent commended the school principals and staff for following district protocol and preventing the agents from entering the campuses.
In November 2024, LAUSD reaffirmed its status as a “sanctuary district,” reinforcing protections for immigrant students and families. Following federal immigration orders signed during former President Donald Trump’s administration, the district implemented a range of measures, including training for school administrators and distribution of “Know Your Rights” cards to inform families of how to respond to encounters with federal agents.
The district reiterated its commitment to protecting students in a message shared with the two South LA schools.
“We want to reaffirm the District’s unwavering commitment to the well-being and education of all students,” the statement read. “Families can access resources 24/7 on our website at lausd.org/weareone for information on district policies and updates on their rights.”
Community members and advocacy groups have expressed concern over federal authorities appearing on school campuses, especially in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations. Though the federal government maintains that its wellness checks are aimed at child safety, critics argue such actions risk creating a chilling effect among undocumented families.
“The presence of federal agents, no matter their purpose, can be traumatic for children and parents alike,” said Sandra Mendoza, an immigrant rights advocate based in Los Angeles. “Schools should remain safe havens.”
As of Thursday, LAUSD said it had received no additional visits from Homeland Security and reiterated that any such attempt would again require proper legal authorization.
