Los Angeles teachers volunteer to watch for ICE activity as district denounces the patrols
Teachers in Los Angeles have begun informal rides to spot ICE agents near schools, a practice the district says it does not endorse while expanding support services for immigrant families.
Los Angeles educators have taken it upon themselves to monitor streets near schools for possible ICE presence, partnering with the neighborhood group Unión del Barrio to document suspicious activity such as tinted windows or double-parked cars. The Los Angeles Unified School District stated the initiative is not sanctioned and emphasized its expanded "We Are One" outreach, which provides 24/7 legal help, mental-health services and a multilingual preparedness packet for families.
Teachers involved claim the patrols have aided community members in planning their days around potential enforcement actions. United Teachers Los Angeles chapter chair Jon Paul Arciniega lauded the teachers' personal commitment to neighborhood safety. The Department of Homeland Security responded to the criticism by labeling it a false narrative and pointing to a reported 1,300% increase in assaults on ICE officers. Mayor Karen Bass reiterated her support for immigrant families in the city.
Why it matters
It shows how local educators are responding to immigration enforcement fears while the school district expands resources for immigrant families.
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