Parent detained by ICE while waiting to pick up child from school: SD Unified

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A parent was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Thursday while waiting near a school to pick up their child in the Linda Vista neighborhood of San Diego, education officials said.

The incident occurred around 3:10 p.m. near Linda Vista Elementary School, located at 2772 Ulric St., the San Diego Unified School District said in a news release.

In a letter sent to families, Linda Vista Elementary Principal Miriam Atlas states that multiple families, not students, witnessed the incident.

"We have been working with our school agencies including the San Diego Unified Police Department, Office of the Superintendent, and Youth Services to ensure that the impacted family has the resources they need during this difficult time. Please know our school grounds are safe spaces that cannot be accessed by ICE without a proper, signed warrant," Atlas said.

The principal added that in California "schools cannot ask about immigration status during enrollment or share student records without parental consent or a court order."

"We understand how unsettling this is and we stand with our community in our desire for ALL our students to be in a safe learning environment. Our teachers and staff will be ready in the morning to support our students and ensure a day of calm and learning. We will have extra district resources on campus should any students or families need additional support," Atlas said.

The school provided a webpage on information about rights, regardless of immigration status.

SDUSD officials will address the incident Friday at 9 a.m., after visiting with school staff and welcoming the students to class.