L.A. school year begins with training teachers as lookouts for ICE

As Los Angeles schools opened for the 2025 academic year Thursday, students and educators faced a school start like no other — overshadowed by growing fears of immigration enforcement near campuses.

Teacher trainings ahead of the school year included instructions on how to recognize federal immigration officers, sometimes described by participants as conducting “kidnappings,” and how to distinguish them from bounty hunters wearing law enforcement-style gear purchased online.

“All of the agencies are masked, and all of them refuse to identify themselves, right?” said a presenter at United Teachers Los Angeles headquarters, which hosted the training. “That’s what we’ve experienced on the ground.”

While the school year began with the usual routines, concern lingers that federal agents could target undocumented immigrants near school sites. Federal authorities have stated that no location is off limits as they work to fulfill President Trump’s goal of one million deportations per year.

Fears intensified Monday when federal agents reportedly drew their guns on and handcuffed a 15-year-old boy with disabilities outside Arleta High School in a case of mistaken identity. Authorities were seeking a suspected MS-13 gang member but mistakenly detained the teen’s cousin. Family members clarified the error, and the boy was released. A Department of Homeland Security statement praised the family for cooperating.

“The mother of the 15-year-old, who is cousins with the alleged MS-13 gang member, was on the scene and worked with Border Patrol,” the statement said. “She informed Border Patrol that the two are often confused for each other and provided information that helped apprehend the correct individual later.”

“Once again, our agents are keeping streets and the American taxpayer safe from criminals, and we will continue to do so until the mission is accomplished,” U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino said on social media.

For school officials, questions remain about why the operation occurred near a school.

Educators Raise Concerns

Educators across Los Angeles are expressing worry about students and their immigrant families.

“Imagine leaving home in the morning and not knowing if your parents or your grandparents will be there when you return,” said Pomona Unified School District Superintendent Darren Knowles. “Kids already have enough to worry about — bullies, neighborhood dangers. Now this fear adds another layer.”

Pomona schools opened Tuesday with slightly lower attendance than last year’s first day, Knowles said. Local leaders emphasized that consistent school attendance supports better learning, health, and life outcomes — though anxiety about enforcement complicates that goal.

“It’s very difficult to teach children when they’re afraid,” said Debra Duardo, superintendent of the L.A. County Office of Education. “While schools remain relative safe havens, educators have had to develop protocols for responding to immigration enforcement near campuses. This is unprecedented, and the fear is real. It is directly impacting student attendance and enrollment.”

Trainings describing federal agencies began in late July, and similar sessions have been held at schools. The United Teachers Los Angeles-hosted event was conducted by educators affiliated with Unión del Barrio, an activist group that has trained about 1,000 local educators and community members in recent months.

Multiple Layers of School Protection

Thursday’s school opening included three tiers of protection for students and families.

The Los Angeles school district has established watch zones around at least 100 schools with large Latino populations, particularly where older students walk to school alone.

The teachers’ union has organized faculty observers — ideally five to seven per school — to monitor for immigration enforcement activity and alert a network of participants. Observers are instructed to document activity without intervening, said Ron Gochez, a teacher and community organizer.

The third tier involves community groups such as Unión del Barrio, prepared to mobilize members to support families or, if necessary, obstruct enforcement efforts, even at the risk of arrest, Gochez said.

It remains uncertain whether some families will continue in-person attendance. L.A. Unified reported that online enrollment rose about 7% compared to last year, despite overall declining enrollment, Supt. Alberto Carvalho said.