News Summary
A parent was arrested by ICE agents during morning drop-off at Camarena Elementary School, raising concerns among parents and officials. The incident involved an individual with a deportation order and was conducted off school property. The school district affirmed its commitment to student safety amid rising tensions related to immigration enforcement in educational areas. Local officials criticized the appropriateness of such actions near schools, highlighting potential trauma for children present during the event. The district continues to advocate for a safe environment as community unease grows.
Chula Vista, CA – A parent was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during the morning drop-off at Camarena Elementary School on Wednesday, August 7, 2025. The incident has sparked concern among parents and local officials about the implications of such actions near schools.
The arrested individual had a deportation order that was issued in absentia by a San Diego immigration judge on July 15, 2022. In a statement, Patrick Divver, the field office director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in San Diego, confirmed that the operation was a part of ICE’s ongoing enforcement efforts in the region. He noted that the arrest was conducted safely and was resolved promptly, occurring off of school property to ensure that students were not directly impacted during the operation.
The Chula Vista Elementary School District verified that the arrest took place off-campus during school hours, distancing the event from the school environment. Spokesperson Giovanna Castro reassured parents that the district is committed to supporting all students, regardless of their immigration status. In light of this incident, district Superintendent Eduardo Reyes sent a letter to families to reaffirm that schools will continue to serve as safe spaces for all students. Reyes also highlighted the strong protocols in place to prevent unauthorized access to schools.
In his communication to families and staff, Reyes advised that parents have a contingency plan for their children’s care should unexpected situations arise that impede their ability to pick them up after school. The school district emphasized its commitment to protecting students from unauthorized interactions with law enforcement, except in emergency situations or when a proper warrant is presented.
The incident was witnessed by bystanders, some of whom recorded the arrest on their cellphones, which was then shared online. This has raised questions about the appropriateness of conducting arrests near schools, especially considering that two children were reportedly present at the time. A relative later arrived to pick them up and ensure their safety.
Local Councilmember Michael Inzunza expressed his concerns regarding the potential traumatizing effects of such arrests taking place in front of children. He emphasized the importance of community safety and the impact such actions can have on young minds.
Furthermore, legal experts have noted an uptick in ICE operations, with immigration law attorney Saman Nasseri highlighting the complexity of the process surrounding in absentia deportation orders. Such orders are typically issued when an individual fails to appear for an immigration court hearing, allowing for swift enforcement actions without requiring the individual’s presence at the time of judgement.
In a separate incident on Monday, there was an uptick in border patrol activity near Eastlake Middle School, prompting a security alert at Salt Creek Elementary School. During this operation, one driver was charged with alien smuggling, and three undocumented passengers in the vehicle were taken into custody. These events have collectively raised concerns among parents and educators about the safety and emotional well-being of students in the community.
The Chula Vista Elementary School District continues to advocate for the safety and security of students, taking steps to reassure families amidst rising tensions related to immigration enforcement in and around school areas.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- K12 Dive
- Times of San Diego
- 10 News
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Google Search: ICE arrest near schools
- Google Scholar: immigration law in the US
- Encyclopedia Britannica: immigration
- Google News: Chula Vista school ICE arrest
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