Boyle Heights educators welcomed families on first day of school — then Border Patrol showed up nearby

On the first day of school for thousands of LAUSD students, dozens of immigration enforcement agents positioned themselves outside the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo — about a mile from several Boyle Heights campuses.

The Border Patrol agents, some wearing face coverings and sunglasses to obscure their identities, stood outside the museum with rifles and zip ties as Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials held a press conference on congressional redistricting. Speaking to reporters, Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory Bovino described the operation as a “roving patrol” and said one person had been detained, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

With tensions running high over immigration raids across L.A. this summer, many in the community were left shaken by the incident Thursday, including students.

'Who knows, ICE could come out and everything'

At Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School in Boyle Heights, some students said their first day back was clouded by anxiety.

Andres Rocha, a junior at Mendez High, said he saw reports of immigration activity on the Citizen app. Moments later, his phone was confiscated — part of LAUSD’s phone ban policy.

“To be honest, ever since the raids began happening, I feel like I’ve been a bit worried for my classmates,” said Rocha, while waiting for his parents to pick him up after school. “Who knows, ICE could come out and everything.”

Rocha said some of his teachers acknowledged the raids and vowed to protect students. They said they’d “do everything in their power to not let [ICE agents] enter the school,” he added.

Freshman Lupe Nuño and her friends were getting ready to board the Metro E line after school on their way to Little Tokyo. The group was a bit nervous when it heard ICE was just down the street. But still, they were set on having fun after their first day of high school.

“We’re going just to chill,” Nuño said, “after our first day.”

Educators show support amid fear

Mendez teachers show support for immigrant students Thursday.

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Courtesy Emily Grijalva

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Earlier on Thursday, educators at Mendez High and Lorena Street Elementary staged a show of support for the first day of school. They held signs that read, “Todos son bienvenidos aquí,” and, “Trucha con ICE,” as families dropped off their children.

For parent Alicia Uvera, whose daughter goes to Lorena Elementary, the show of support gave her a sense of security.

“The teachers and staff are here for the community and supporting the parents, ensuring their children come to school without being scared,” Uvera said.

The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, which manages 20 schools, including Mendez High in Boyle Heights, said the moment underscored the high stakes for families.

“The act of going to school should be about children growing, learning, and feeling safe — not about heightened fear or trauma,” said Cadonna Dory, a spokesperson for the group.

Officials offer reassurances and resources

At a press conference later in the day, L.A. schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said, “No impact was seen or felt by these schools as a result of these federal actions in the neighborhood.” Still, he acknowledged the fear it could trigger.

“I hope people hear hope that our school system has protected its community of learners and that we are safe spaces, are a welcoming district, and that every parent should feel safe in bringing their children to school,” Carvalho said.

LAUSD has been working to reassure parents that students remain protected on campus. In response to growing concerns, the district recently released a Family Preparedness Care Package that provides information for free legal resources and guides and also is offering new transportation options. Community groups like Unión del Barrio and the Association of Raza Educators also have launched a series of trainings on how to protect students, faculty, staff, and families from immigration enforcement actions.