ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) — Community members have been notified, and local leaders are speaking out after a parent was detained by immigration enforcement near an Encinitas school on Wednesday.
The Encinitas Union School District said the detainment was witnessed by family, community members, staff, and students and occurred several blocks from Park Dale Lane Elementary.
"I am deeply saddened to be writing to you today regarding an immigration enforcement incident that occurred this morning before school near Park Dale Lane Elementary," the district's superintendent said in the letter.
Read the district's full statement below:
Dear EUSD Community,
I am deeply saddened to be writing to you today regarding an immigration enforcement incident that occurred this morning before school near Park Dale Lane Elementary. We want to share this information with all of you as it certainly impacts our greater community.
A parent of an EUSD student was detained near an intersection by Park Dale Lane Elementary while driving to work. This incident was witnessed by family, community members, staff and students causing fear and trauma across our district. Our first concern, of course, is this family, and our district personnel will be providing them with support throughout this challenging process.
As a District community, we are alarmed and disturbed by this event and its impact on children and families. EUSD stands firmly with every family in this community. Our top priority is for our school campuses to be safe, welcoming places for all children and families, regardless of immigration status. We remain deeply committed to ensuring that every student is treated with dignity and respect, and that every family feels supported and cared for within our school community. Our community liaisons continue to work individually with families to ensure they are connected with the resources and support they need.
I also want to reiterate our District’s board policies and protocols in response to immigration enforcement, which are grounded in respect, protection, and confidentiality for all families. EUSD staff have been informed to uphold and protect the legal rights of students and families, and no information is shared with immigration authorities without a court order or judicial subpoena. For information on District procedures, please visit our website at: https://www.eusd.net/parents-community/immigration-supports
If you or your family are in need of resources or support or you would like to assist other families, please reach out to your school community liaison.
Sincerely,
Andrée Grey, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded to the event, saying:
ICE San Diego finds it unfortunate that an individual chose to insert a child into an active law enforcement situation, and that official statements were made before the facts of this case were fully known.
These are the facts – first, this morning, ICE San Diego officers carried out a targeted enforcement action againstan illegal alien from Guatemala, with a final order of removal from the United States since 2017. Second, the illegal alien was the sole occupant of the vehicle when officers conducted the stop. Third, during the vehicle stop, the illegal aliens’ alleged spouse responded to the area in a separate vehicle with a young child in the backseat from the opposite direction of the school and then proceeded to interject herself and the young child into the scene. These actions are shameful and not to mention dangerous.
Lastly, the stop occurred two blocks away from, and entirely out of view of Park Dale Elementary School. Claims that ICE conducted enforcement on school grounds are patently false. The truth of the matter is that ICE San Diego has not conducted enforcement at schools, and suggestions to the contrary mislead the public and create unnecessary fear.
ICE San Diego remains committed to enforcing federal immigration law while ensuring the safety of the community and our officers.
California State Senator Catherine Blakespear confirmed the incident, saying:
I am horrified by videos I have seen of an apprehension made in my hometown of Encinitas by what appears to be federal police working for ICE.
The agents removed a father driving with his family members from the car that he had just pulled over to drop their daughter at school. Agents abruptly separated him from his child and family, without showing identification or providing a warrant, despite repeated requests by his family and the public to see a warrant signed by a judge. There was no reason given for his arrest. They didn’t even allow him to say goodbye to his family members before driving him off in an unmarked vehicle.
This is inhumane, barbaric and lawless. We should all be outraged.
What this video shows, just like so many other videos, is a police state in which civil liberties and constitutional protections are brushed aside, and that any person can be apprehended on the street without probable cause for arrest. Every person in California and this country should be outraged by the overreach and lack of due process associated with this heavy-handed government action. It could happen to anyone. Our immigrant community is particularly at risk.
This is shocking, unacceptable and undemocratic. Each of us needs to use our voices to demand change.
Congressman Mike Levin also sent out the following statement on social media:
I have seen video of an ICE arrest this morning outside an elementary school in Encinitas. The video shows a young daughter visibly distressed by what she witnessed. No child should face that fear, particularly not when being dropped off at school. I have personally urged ICE to stay away from schools and churches unless there is an overwhelming public safety or national security concern. Conducting enforcement at these community institutions is wrong and unacceptable. If ICE believes there was a reason to act near a school, the public deserves a full and immediate explanation. I have reached out to ICE to demand that explanation.
