Los Angeles, CA – Tensions are rising in the nation's second-largest school district as Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho faces backlash for his outspoken criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even as local police urge students to refrain from disruptive protests against the agency.
Carvalho, who immigrated to the United States as an undocumented youth from Portugal, has positioned himself as a fierce defender of students amid heightened federal immigration enforcement. In a September press conference, he described some federal tactics as “immoral, unethical and illegal.” He later called a video, which he shared online and which allegedly showed ICE agents urinating on school grounds in July, “a new level of despicable insult.” These remarks have drawn sharp rebukes from critics who argue the superintendent should prioritize educational basics over political activism.
Sonja Shaw, a candidate for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, condemned Carvalho's focus in an interview with The California Post. “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,” Shaw said. “How about, for a change, we focus on literacy and science instead of chaos and violence?” Her comments highlight a broader debate in Los Angeles education circles about whether district leadership is diverting attention from academic performance amid ongoing protests.
The protests themselves have escalated over the past three weeks, with students walking out of classes across the city to demonstrate against what they see as aggressive ICE operations targeting immigrant communities. On Friday, demonstrations turned chaotic in several locations, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Two federal agents were injured by rock-throwing protesters, and incidents included teens burning American flags, vandalizing buildings, and in one reported case, swinging a metal pipe at officers.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded swiftly to the violence, releasing photos on Saturday of two teenagers suspected of attacking ICE agents during the Friday events. “We have zero tolerance for out-of-control student protesters,” Essayli stated, vowing to “criminally prosecute” those involved. His office's firm stance underscores the federal government's determination to maintain order amid the unrest, which has now spilled into multiple neighborhoods.
Local law enforcement has echoed calls for restraint. The Los Angeles Police Department issued a news release on Monday warning that school attendance is mandatory in the city, and students who skip class to protest could face legal consequences, as could parents or adults who encourage them. “It is unlawful for any minors under 18 to be in public places, streets, or amusement spots during school hours,” the release stated, emphasizing potential repercussions for truancy.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell elaborated on the department's position during a televised interview on Tuesday. “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,” McDonnell said. He expressed concern for the long-term impact on the students involved, adding, “In some cases, they get jammed up. 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.” McDonnell's comments reflect a balancing act between protecting free speech and preventing escalation into violence or legal trouble for minors.
The unrest isn't confined to Los Angeles proper. In the nearby city of Clovis, police are searching for two adults believed to have organized a walkout involving 200 students at a local high school. Authorities described the event as an anti-ICE demonstration that disrupted classes, and they are investigating potential violations of truancy laws or incitement.
Far-left activist groups have fueled the student mobilizations. Organizations like Dare To Struggle SoCal have been actively encouraging high schoolers to skip classes and “rebel against” federal agents, according to reports from the protests. These calls have resonated in a city with a large immigrant population, where fears of ICE raids have been heightened since federal operations intensified in July, including visits to school areas that prompted Carvalho to deploy school police for “perimeters of safety” around high school graduations.
Carvalho's personal history adds a layer of context to his advocacy. Having arrived in the U.S. without documentation as a teenager, he has long championed protections for undocumented students, including those brought to the country as children under programs like DACA. His district, serving over 500,000 students in Los Angeles, includes a significant number of English learners and immigrant families, making immigration issues a perennial concern in school board meetings and community forums.
In response to the LAPD's warning, LAUSD representatives emphasized student safety and alternative outlets for expression. Carvalho was unavailable for comment on Tuesday due to a school board meeting, but a district spokeswoman issued a statement expressing concern. “The district is concerned for student safety at off-campus demonstrations,” she said. Instead, LAUSD is “providing students with opportunities on campus for student expression” and “resources and guidance for students to engage in meaningful, age-appropriate discussions.”
This approach aims to channel student activism into structured settings, avoiding the risks associated with street protests. Educational experts note that such on-campus initiatives could help address underlying issues like fear and misinformation about immigration policies without disrupting learning. However, some activists argue that these measures fall short of addressing the immediate threats posed by ICE actions in communities.
The broader context of these events ties into national debates over immigration enforcement under the current administration. Since early 2025, ICE has ramped up operations in urban areas, leading to similar protests in cities like New York and Chicago. In Los Angeles, the July raids near school zones marked a turning point, with reports of agents detaining individuals just blocks from campuses, heightening parental anxieties and sparking the initial wave of student-led actions.
As the school week progresses, school officials and law enforcement are monitoring for further walkouts. With midterms approaching and attendance rates already a sore point in the district—where chronic absenteeism affects nearly 40% of students, according to state data—the protests pose challenges to both educational continuity and public safety. Parents' groups have split, with some supporting the students' right to protest and others echoing police concerns about potential arrests derailing young lives.
Looking ahead, the situation could influence upcoming elections, including Shaw's bid for state superintendent, where education policy intersects with immigration. Meanwhile, federal officials like Essayli signal no letup in enforcement, while Carvalho's leadership continues to test the boundaries of advocacy in public education. For now, Los Angeles schools remain a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation on immigration, rights, and youth involvement in civic matters.