Children across Los Angeles returned to school Thursday under new safety measures aimed at shielding them from the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced it would deploy staff, volunteers, and school police to patrol streets around more than 100 schools. The expansion of “safe zones” is designed to protect students and their families during drop-off and pickup times.
Newsweek has reached out to both LAUSD and the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Why It Matters
As the nation’s second-largest school district, LAUSD serves more than 500,000 students. The new efforts come after a summer marked by frequent immigration raids, part of President Donald Trump’s push for 1 million deportations annually.
When Trump returned to office in January, the Department of Homeland Security reversed the Biden-era policy that had barred ICE operations in or near schools, churches, and other “sensitive locations.”
Concerns deepened Monday after federal agents mistakenly detained a 15-year-old student with disabilities outside Arleta High School, drawing their guns and handcuffing him before realizing their error.
While U.S. law guarantees children the right to an education regardless of immigration status, educators worry that fear of deportation could keep many students at home.
District Response
At a Monday news conference, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho outlined steps the district is taking to reassure families. More than 1,000 district employees were sent to “critical areas” most affected by raids to support schools and communities.
The district is also working with community groups and accepting volunteers to help monitor ICE activity near schools.
Carvalho said these deployments would remain in place “as long as we need it to be.” Additional measures include rerouting buses, distributing family preparedness packets with know-your-rights information, updating emergency contacts, and advising parents on designating backup caregivers in case of detention.
He also appealed directly to immigration authorities, asking them to avoid enforcement within two blocks of schools during the start and end of the school day.
Community Response
A spokesperson for LAUSD reaffirmed to Newsweek: “We will never ask about or share a student’s immigration status unless required by law, and we are committed to maintaining safe zones around our schools. Our message is clear: every child belongs in school, and we will do everything in our power to keep our campuses safe, supportive, and welcoming for all.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed that sentiment: “What you have seen in our region over the last couple of months is complete unity. Cities, leaders, and communities are standing together to defend the rights of Angelenos and to protect one another from the administration’s discriminatory tactics.”
She added: “Together, we can reaffirm to our community, parents, teachers, and families our unwavering commitment to keeping kids safe as they return.”
President Donald Trump reinforced his stance in June, writing on Truth Social: “ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History. In order to achieve this, we must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside.”
Looking Ahead
Carvalho said the safety measures would remain in effect as long as necessary. Meanwhile, debate over federal immigration enforcement—and its impact on students and families—is certain to continue.
