Bay Area families on edge as schools respond to ICE activity in communities
RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- Reports of immigration enforcement activity across the Bay Area are creating fear among immigrant communities, as school districts in Richmond and Half Moon Bay respond to concerns about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
A confirmed ICE arrest in Richmond on Thursday morning heightened concerns in the community. The West Contra Costa Unified School District said a parent was detained near one of its schools, though the person did not have a student enrolled in the district.
"There was a photo and video circulating that showed a father of a family being detained in the morning hours," said Liz Sanders, assistant superintendent of communication for the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
The detention has shaken members of the community.
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"Many of us are scared. We have to go out, and we have to go to work. Despite this happening we have to go outside," one person said.
Similar concerns emerged in Half Moon Bay, where the Cabrillo Unified School District sent a letter to parents Friday morning confirming ICE agents were present in the community and reassuring families that students were protected.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District also sought to reassure its community about protections on school grounds.
"Immigration enforcement officers cannot enter, a school facility without a valid court order, judicial warrant or a subpoena. And so, our staff is aware of those policies," Sanders said.
The activity comes amid reports of a statewide immigration enforcement operation by ICE. Sources told the Washington Examiner that authorities are going after both the "worst of the worst" and "noncriminal illegal immigrants."
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The Department of Homeland Security declined to discuss enforcement operations, saying in a statement, "Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country including in California."
On X, Gov. Gavin Newsom also addressed the ICE activity, saying "Trump is using mass deportations to TERRORIZE diverse communities out of legally voting."
Bill Hing, professor and director of the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic at the University of San Francisco, said he believes the enforcement activity is targeted.
"I think that the Trump administration, of course, views California as a sanctuary state, and that they want to make California an example before the elections. I think that Trump is very desperate to get what he thinks is positive publicity, and he wants to come across as a tough guy," Hing said.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District said student attendance on Friday dropped compared with other three-day weekends, 24 hours after the latest ICE detention.
