Amid ICE raids, L.A. schools say they’ll protect students at graduation. But will their families come?

June 9, 2025

Immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles have created fear among immigrant families attending graduation ceremonies at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. The raids sparked protests that escalated into clashes with authorities, particularly after President Trump deployed the National Guard to the area. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced enhanced security measures to protect graduation ceremonies, allowing families to enter venues quickly and remain inside if needed.

Who is affected

Students and families at Gratts Learning Academy and other LAUSD schools, particularly immigrants
An estimated 30,000 immigrant students in the district
Parents who are choosing to miss their children's graduation ceremonies due to deportation fears
Commuters and businesses in downtown Los Angeles affected by protest damage
David Huerta, president of SEIU-United Service Workers West, who was arrested while observing an immigration raid
Protesters who faced riot police and National Guard troops
Local businesses and buildings damaged during the unrest

What action is being taken

LAUSD is establishing security perimeters around graduation sites with school police protecting ceremonies
Schools are allowing families to immediately enter graduation venues rather than waiting in lines outside
Principals are authorized to let parents remain at venues if immigration enforcement occurs nearby
The district is offering limited Zoom options for families to watch graduations remotely
United Teachers Los Angeles is organizing rallies to support immigrant communities
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing the Trump administration over National Guard deployment
LAUSD is maintaining a Family Hotline for reporting immigration enforcement activity

Why it matters

Families are missing once-in-a-lifetime celebrations of educational achievement due to fear
The situation highlights tensions between federal immigration policy and local community values
Constitutional rights to education are being affected by enforcement actions
The unrest comes during a critical time with over 100 graduation ceremonies scheduled
The conflict represents a broader political divide between Trump administration policies and Democratic-led California
School districts are attempting to balance legal obligations with protecting vulnerable student populations
Immigration enforcement at "sensitive locations" like schools represents a policy shift with direct impacts on education

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th