On August 14th, around 3:10 p.m., a parent waiting to pick up their child from a school near San Diego was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident marks another case following the arrest of another parent outside a school in the San Diego area one week prior.
Both the school authorities and the San Diego Unified School District confirmed that the detained individual was a father of a student at the school. The Department of Homeland Security contacted the school principal after the father’s detention, who then informed the mother of the child about the situation. The mother was subsequently able to pick up the child from the school.
District officials expressed that they are unaware of the reasons behind the parent’s arrest.
School officials mentioned that several parents witnessed the incident, but the students did not see it as it was not yet dismissal time.
On the afternoon when the incident occurred, Miriam Atlas, the principal of Linda Vista Elementary School in San Diego, sent an email to parents saying, “Today, our school community witnessed the detention and removal of a student’s parent by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at approximately 3:10 p.m. while the parent was waiting near the school to pick up their child. Some parents witnessed the incident, but our students did not.”
The following day, on August 15th, the San Diego Unified School District held a press conference outside the school.
Superintendent Fabiola Bagula stated, “Although this incident did not happen on school grounds, it was close enough to our community to have an impact. This not only affects one family but impacts the entire school community.”
“We should prohibit such enforcement actions in and around our schools,” she condemned ICE for apprehending individuals near schools. “There may be many debates about immigration reform, but the inhumanity of this strategy is indisputable.”
Bagula first read the statement in English and then in Spanish.
School Board President Cody Pettersen stated, “The events of yesterday do not align with our values. As a district, our top priority for students is to promote their social and emotional well-being. This incident contradicts our commitment to the social and emotional well-being of our students.”
Principal Atlas assured parents in her letter on the 14th, “Please know that our campus remains a safe space, and ICE is not permitted to enter without a proper search warrant. We have reemphasized to all staff our policies and agreements to ensure everyone understands these important guidelines. In California, schools are not allowed to inquire about immigration status during enrollment or share student records without parental consent or a court order.”
She also stated, “The school will provide additional resources to address any additional support needed for students or families.”
Epoch Times has requested a comment from ICE regarding the reason for the arrest.
One week prior, on August 6th in the morning, outside a school in the Linda Vista city of Southern San Diego County, ICE arrested a mother dropping off her child at school. Online videos show ICE agents approaching a Tesla parked on the side of the road.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin stated in a media release that the individual arrested was a Korean national who failed to appear in immigration court in 2022 as required and was ordered absentia removal by a judge.
McLaughlin stated, “The fact is that those who reside illegally in our country have a choice: they can leave the country voluntarily or be arrested and deported. Generous American taxpayers provide free airfare and a $1,000 subsidy using the CBP Home app for undocumented immigrants who choose to voluntarily depart. By leaving now, they can preserve future opportunities to return legally and properly. The choice is theirs.”