LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — As Los Angeles Unified School District students prepare for another day of walkouts in protest of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the district is warning that some fake law enforcement agents may approach.
In a post to social media, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said that some people impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have approached members of the district’s community in recent days.
“We are aware of reports that individuals alleging to be law enforcement or ICE agents have approached some in our community,” Carvalho said. “This has the effect of generating fear within our communities.”
He added that the district is working with police to address any potential impersonators.
Meanwhile, students across the district are planning a third day of walkouts on Thursday. The walkouts come as Trump signs executive orders to enhance deportation efforts and to restrict access to the U.S.-Mexico border.
As part of those orders signed by Trump, ICE agents are now allowed to enter “sensitive areas” to conduct arrests, which include churches and schools.
“This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens—including murders and rapists—who have illegally come into our country,” a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reads. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
Schools in the L.A. area have been handing out “Know Your Rights” cards, which let students know their legal protections if approached by an agent with ICE.
Van Nuys High School is among the planned walkouts planned for Thursday. In an email penned to KTLA, one student said those participating plan to walk to Van Nuys City Hall beginning at 10:47 a.m.
“As a predominantly Hispanic community with many immigrant students this is super important to us, as we want to stand in solidarity with our peers,” the student said.
Other high schools expected to follow suit include Malibu, Venice, University and Culver City.
The protests are expected to occur at separate times throughout the day.
They follow large-scale protests from the weekend that resulted in blocked freeways and disrupted traffic in downtown Los Angeles.
