Congresswoman Luz Rivas’ Statement on ICE Activity Outside of Arleta High School Before Start of 2025-2026 School Year

LOS ANGELES — Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) released the following statement after reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity outside of Arleta High School, which resulted in a student with disabilities being wrongly detained by unidentified ICE agents. He was eventually released.

“This week, as students and families prepare to start a new school year, our schools must remain a safe place – without the presence of ICE and their weapons drawn at students,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “Let me be clear: ICE should not be anywhere near a school campus, or any sensitive locations like churches or hospitals. The Trump Administration’s continued use of violent tactics to terrorize our students and families is horrifying. I am thankful to Arleta High School officials, LAUSD, and local law enforcement for their swift intervention and ensuring the safety of their students. I will continue to demand answers from ICE and push for legislation that protects our community from the Trump Administration’s harmful immigration enforcement policies.”

Background:

On the morning of August 11, unidentified ICE agents appeared outside of Arleta High School and briefly detained a student. The altercation resulted in the agents drawing their weapons and leaving bullets on the ground outside the school. 

Congresswoman Rivas is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1061, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which prohibits Department of Homeland Security officers or agents, such as ICE, from conducting enforcement actions at sensitive locations, such as schools.

Congresswoman Rivas is currently awaiting a response from her August 4 letter where she requested a meeting with ICE leadership to discuss the harmful actions of, and demand accountability from, ICE agents in Los Angeles.

###