The Superintendent of Los Angeles schools, Alberto Carvalho, is facing criticism for his outspoken opposition to federal immigration enforcement, as students across the city prepare to leave classrooms in protest of illegal immigration crackdowns.
Carvalho, recognized as one of the leading educators in the nation, has not shied away from expressing his disapproval of such measures. At a press conference in September, he described certain tactics employed by the federal government as “immoral, unethical and illegal.”
Adding fuel to the controversy, Carvalho shared a video online purportedly showing ICE agents urinating on school grounds in July, which he labeled as “a new level of despicable insult.”
His remarks have drawn criticism from some quarters, notably from Sonja Shaw, a candidate for California State Superintendent. Shaw criticized Carvalho’s focus, stating, “Fewer than half of the students in Carvalho’s Los Angeles Unified School District can read or write at grade level, that’s the real crisis here,” she told The California Post.
Shaw further urged a shift in priorities, suggesting, “How about, for a change, we focus on literacy and science instead of chaos and violence?” Her comments highlight a call for educational leaders to prioritize academic achievement over political conflicts.
“How about, for a change, we focus on lieracy and science instead of chaos and violence?”
After three consecutive weeks of raucous, sometimes violent protests involving students, the Los Angeles Police Department has asked the city’s teens to stay in class, rather than protest ICE.
Adding to the enforcement, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has made one thing clear: his office has zero tolerance for out-of-control student protesters.
On Saturday, Essayli released pictures of two teens suspected of attacking ICE agents in Friday’s demonstration and promised to “criminally prosecute” them.
Two federal agents were also injured by rock-throwing rioters on Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The day’s wild demonstrations also saw teens burning flags, vandalizing buildings and, in one case, swinging a pipe at officers.
Police in Clovis are also looking for two adults who led 200 students in an anti-ICE school walkout.
In a news release Monday, LAPD officials warned that students who cut class to speak out against ICE could face legal repercussions, and so could any adults who assist them.
“School attendance is mandatory in the City of Los Angeles and there may be legal consequences for parents and students,” the LAPD wrote. “It is unlawful for any minors under 18 to be in public places, streets, or amusement spots during school hours.”
On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell explained the Department’s position.
“We support everyone in exercising their First Amendment rights, but we also see what happens too often when young people are out there and being guided, maybe, in the wrong direction,” said McDonnell in a televised interview.
“In some cases, they get jammed up,” McDonnell continued. “They get an arrest or something that’s going to harm them for the rest of their life. We don’t want to see that happen.”
Carvalho came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant himself and has been passionate about protecting students from ICE agents’ visits to city schools.
He even used school cops to create anti-ICE “perimeters of safety” around high school graduation ceremonies after federal raids in July.
Far-left activists are have urged high school students rise up against ICE, with a group called ‘Dare To Struggle SoCal’ telling kids to skip class and “rebel against” federal agents.
Carvalho couldn’t respond to the LA cops’ news release in an interview personally on Tuesday, his reps said, due to a school board meeting.
An LAUSD spokeswoman said the district is “concerned for student safety at off-campus demonstrations”, in response to the police warning.
Instead, LA’s public schools are “providing students with opportunities on campus for student expression” and “resources and guidance for students to engage in meaningful, age-appropriate discussions,” the spokeswoman said.
