Overview: California school board members say claims about ICE activity on campuses are being exaggerated and that fear of enforcement is contributing to student absences. DHS says it does not target schools to arrest children, though it may act in rare safety-related cases. Some districts have tightened campus access, and state guidance updates are due by March 1. The debate has drawn criticism from both unions and elected officials and reflects broader political tensions ahead of the 2026 midterms.
California School Board Members Accuse 'Fearmongering' Over ICE as Attendance Drops
Los Angeles students are staying home in fear of deportation, the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent said.(Getty Images)
Several California school board members say rhetoric about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is being exaggerated, and they warn that that fear is keeping students home. Teachers’ unions and some districts have publicly criticized ICE, while local officials and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) push back on claims that federal agents are conducting widespread enforcement actions on school campuses.
What Officials Are Saying
Paso Robles Unified Trustee Kenney Enney told Fox News Digital there is little justification for federal agents to carry out enforcement actions at schools.
"There's really no reason for federal law enforcement to come to a school. I can't really think of a scenario where that would happen... Most of it is fearmongering," Enney said.
Chino Valley board member Sonja Shaw echoed that view, telling the outlet that "ICE is not entering schools or conducting enforcement actions on campuses" and called claims to the contrary misinformation. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho previously warned that worries about immigration enforcement contributed to attendance declines in the second semester of the 2025–2026 school year.
DHS Response
The Department of Homeland Security reiterated to reporters that it does not go to schools to arrest children. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency would only enter a campus in limited circumstances to protect student safety—for example, if a violent criminal fled into a school or if a child sex offender worked on campus.
District Actions and State Context
Some districts have taken extra precautions in response to community concern. Oceanside Unified School District tightened campus access, updated front-office signage, and provided staff scripts intended to limit unauthorized entry. A spokesperson said these practices predate 2020 and that the district is following updated state guidance.
California is one of seven states that ties some school funding to daily attendance, a financial incentive that amplifies concerns about rising absenteeism. Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that roughly 133,000 undocumented children attend California public K–12 schools.
Political and Union Responses
Opinions among board members diverge. Lakeside Unified Trustee Andrew Hayes suggested the debate is politically motivated and tied to the 2026 midterm elections. By contrast, the California Teachers Association and several districts have posted warnings and urged protections, claiming aggressive enforcement actions elsewhere have created a climate of fear.
"If they're inciting fears to the point where they're causing an increase in absenteeism, they're hurting themselves," Enney said, criticizing what he described as harmful rhetoric.
Looking Ahead
Districts across California are expected to update guidance by March 1 to clarify how schools will shield students from immigration enforcement while balancing safety and legal obligations. Officials on both sides say they want to ensure students feel safe and that families receive accurate information.
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