A group of educators in Los Angeles has initiated patrols around local schools to identify and report the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Lupe Carrasco Cardona, a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), revealed she is part of an effort called "Unión del Barrio," which seeks to monitor federal immigration enforcement activities near educational institutions.
Cardona stated that the patrols involve looking for vehicles that might indicate ICE presence, such as those with tinted windows or double-parked cars, often in response to tips from the community. During a reported ride-along with CBS LA near Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, the group did not encounter any ICE agents, though they noted some false alarms.
"We don't intercept. We don't engage with them. We're just alerting the community," Cardona explained. She added that her group's reported findings are intended to inform the local community, who may plan their daily activities around this information.
Jon Paul Arciniega, a chapter chair for United Teachers Los Angeles, commented on the patrols, calling the teachers' dedication to monitoring the neighborhood "really beautiful" and beneficial for students and families.
However, the initiative has drawn criticism on social media. Some users questioned why teachers, funded by taxpayers, would monitor for ICE agents or if this indicates a large undocumented population within LAUSD schools. Others suggested that the educators' energy might be better directed toward addressing local crime.
This activity occurs as LAUSD faces financial challenges, with the county superintendent issuing a "Lack of Going Concern" determination in July, warning of potential inability to meet financial obligations in the coming years. Separately, ICE recently arrested a Canadian fugitive living in California for 30 years who was wanted on child sexual assault charges in his home country.