Alberto Carvalho
Alberto Carvalho recorre escuelas del Distrito Escolar Unificado de Los Ángeles en su primera semana como superintendente, tras su salida de Miami en 2022. Foto por Kyle Stokes / LAist.

Updated April 10, 4:14 p.m.

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Federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security were denied entry this week at two South L.A. elementary schools, district officials said.

At a press conference Thursday, Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. Alberto Carvalho confirmed that individuals who identified themselves as Homeland Security agents had attempted to enter Russell Elementary School and Lillian Street Elementary School on Monday. 

An LAUSD spokesperson said the district sent a message to parents to inform them of the immigration activity.

Here’s what we know from the Superintendent: 

  • Teams of three to four individuals approached two schools.
  • Individuals arrived at Russell Elementary School at 10 a.m. Monday, April 7, and identified themselves as Homeland Security agents. 
  • They asked questions about four students ranging from first to sixth grade.
  • Two hours later Homeland Security agents arrived at Lillian Street Elementary and asked questions about a sixth-grade student. 
  • In one case, the agents were initially reluctant to show identification or refused “to allow the writing down of their names and badge numbers,” Carvalho said. 
  • In one case, agents declared to principals that the caretakers of the students had authorized them to go to the school. Carvalho said the agents’ claims were untrue. 

How did LAUSD respond?

According to Carvalho, administrators at the schools denied agents access, asked for proof of agency, and contacted the district’s regional operation office and legal departments. He said school police were deployed to the schools. 

“I am proud of these principals, I am proud of our workforce… for they did exactly what we trained them to do,” Carvalho said.

According to the message sent to parents, there has been no subsequent activity. 

“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,” Carvalho added. “We will not allow abuse, intimidation of our children or our workforce.”

Other district schools sent precautionary messages to parents and guardians, noting the reports of immigration enforcement activity and reaffirming the district’s “unwavering commitment to the well-being and education of all students.”

Alex Medina contributed to this story.

My background: I was part of the team that launched De Los, a new section of the Los Angeles Times exploring Latino identity. I’ve been a local reporter for The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and The Orange County Register. You can find my writing on religion, food, and culture in The Atlantic, Eater, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and Religion News Service. My upbringing spans South Central, El Monte, and Pomona.

What I do: I write about how decisions surrounding immigration, city hall, schools, health, religion and culture impact Boyle Heights and East LA. I do this by spending time with residents and community members, reaching out to civic and elected leaders, and by analyzing related research. I also mentor Boyle Heights Beat youth journalists.

Why LA: It’s where I’m from. Reporting and living here means appreciating the different neighborhood identities that make up LA. Also, nothing beats walking along the LA River, hiking at Debs Park, or catching a sunset while running on the Sixth Street Bridge in Boyle Heights.

The best way to contact me: My email is alejandra.molina@boyleheightsbeat.org.

My background: I was born in Mexico and raised in Boyle Heights, where I got my start in journalism by launching a community blog. Most recently, I worked at the Los Angeles Times and have spent most of my career covering local news in LA, with a focus on community-centered stories, Latino communities and mentoring emerging writers.

What I do: I lead coverage of Boyle Heights and East LA across all platforms to inform, connect and uplift our community. I spend my days listening, planning, editing and coordinating to make sure our stories reflect the community fairly, while supporting and mentoring my team of reporters and freelancers so they can grow along the way.

Why LA?: It’s home. It’s the sounds of Spanglish and other languages, the smell of tacos and kimchi, the way street art tells stories and how, even though I hate traffic, I love how the freeways can take me to the beach or the mountains on a whim.

The best way to contact me: My email is jessica.perez@boyleheightsbeat.org.

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