Los Angeles Unified School District confronts probable immigration enforcement at graduation venues to protect undocumented students and families from disruption.
At a Glance
- LA school police have set up safety perimeters around more than 100 graduation ceremonies to block ICE agents
- Students and families can use secure school buses, bus stops and virtual viewing to minimize exposure to enforcement
- Superintendent Alberto Carvalho emphasized that every ceremony is a protected site under district policy
- Nearly one in four of LAUSD’s 520,000+ students are undocumented immigrants
- This initiative follows intensified ICE raids and protests, including federal vehicle presence near campuses
Protective Measures Amid a Crisis
In response to heightened ICE enforcement in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has launched a sweeping initiative to safeguard students and families during graduation season. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho directed the district’s independent police force to create “perimeters of safety” around all graduation venues, preventing federal agents from approaching school events without judicial warrants.
Carvalho asserted that “every single graduation site is a protected site”, reinforcing the district’s stance against immigration enforcement at schools. The initiative follows sightings of ICE vehicles near campuses and growing anxiety among immigrant families attending public events.
Ensuring Safe Participation
To minimize fear and facilitate access, LAUSD is also deploying officers to monitor school buses and stops, establishing on-campus shelters, and providing virtual viewing options for all ceremonies. This offers reassurance to over 30,000 immigrant students—roughly one in four undocumented—within the district’s 520,000+ student body.
Watch a report: LA Unified reveals security measures.
Parents and students expressed relief and cautious optimism. “We don’t want our kids to have that type of memory,” said Jorge Rosana, while student Eric Flores shared that although “it lingers in the back of your head,” the community should still celebrate.
Political and Community Fallout
The initiative comes amid escalating federal immigration raids across Los Angeles, which triggered citywide protests and criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. The governor has described the actions as part of a broader “assault on democracy”, and state officials have sought legal injunctions to curb federal overreach.
Carvalho vowed to oppose unauthorized federal entry, declaring he would “put [his] job on the line” to protect students. School board member Rocio Rivas emphasized the human toll, saying families now live “in fear, looking over their shoulders” on the way to school.
Broader Implications
Looking beyond graduation, LAUSD plans to extend these safeguards into summer programming starting June 17. The district’s bold stance could influence national debates on sanctuary school policies, raising legal questions about the boundary between federal enforcement and educational autonomy. For now, LAUSD remains a defiant bulwark against fear—on school steps, in classrooms, and across its bus routes.
