After Homeland Security agents visit 2 LAUSD schools, members of Congress demand answers

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The backstory: According to Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Department of Homeland Security agents entered Russell Elementary and Lillian Street Elementary — both in South L.A.'s Florence-Firestone area — on April 7 and asked to speak with a total of five students. The principals denied those agents entry when they could not provide a warrant. A DHS spokesperson confirmed the visit, but said the purpose was to check on the health and welfare of students “who arrived unaccompanied at the border.”

The demands: The letter, first reported by The Los Angeles Times, cites LAist’s reporting and asks Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to justify the agents’ actions and “desist from immigration enforcement activity targeting children who pose no threat to public safety.” The authors call out several discrepancies between the accounts provided by LAUSD and DHS, including whether agents identified themselves and had permission from students’ guardians to speak with them.

“I am horrified that DHS officials were able to show up unannounced to schools, lie about the reason for their visit, and target children for deportation who do not pose a public safety threat,” said Rep. Luz M. Rivas, one of the 18 House Democrats who signed the letter, in a statement to LAist. “I am thankful for the LAUSD administration officials for keeping these children safe. DHS needs to answer for its actions and the fear tactics of this Administration.”

California’s Senators have also spoken out against the DHS agents’ attempts to enter the schools.

Noem’s office has not yet returned a request for comment.

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