Homeland Security Denied Entry at LAUSD Schools for Unaccompanied Minor Welfare Checks

Incident at LAUSD Schools

• 🏫 Officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) confirmed that individuals identifying as federal authorities were denied entry at two elementary schools on Monday: Lillian Street School and Russell Elementary.
• 🚨 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed their personnel were present but stated their purpose was not immigration enforcement, but rather to conduct welfare checks on unaccompanied minors.

School Officials' Concerns

• 🍎 A music teacher described the attempts to enter the schools as "mental abuse," questioning how young students could pose a national security risk.
• 🆔 At Lillian Street School, principals were asked to speak to a sixth grader, while at Russell Elementary, agents identified themselves as Homeland Security (not ICE) and inquired about four students.
• 🚫 When principals requested identification, agents reportedly pocketed their IDs, refusing to provide names or badge numbers.

Parental Denials and Fears

• 🗣️ The caretakers of the children, including parents, denied any interaction with the federal officials or providing authorization for them to visit the schools.
• 😟 One mother expressed increased fear, stating, "It's sad. Like they're just scaring all the kids. You know, they they can't just come to schools like that."

Homeland Security's Stated Purpose

• 🛡️ A statement from DHS indicated they were leading efforts to conduct welfare checks to ensure children are safe and not being exploited, abused, or sex trafficked.
• ❓ It remains unclear why these specific children were targeted for checks at school, as DHS typically conducts such checks at homes or foster care facilities, not educational institutions.