(EAST CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a parent, identified as Kyungjin Yu, on August 6, 2025, one block from Camarena Elementary School during morning drop-off. The arrest, carried out on a public roadway, unfolded in front of families and staff, raising alarms across the school community.
Witnesses say ICE officers in unmarked vehicles with flashing lights stopped Yu’s car and handcuffed her. Her two children, both Camarena Elementary School students, were inside the vehicle. The children were later picked up by their father, according to district officials. ICE says Yu had a final order of removal issued by an immigration judge in San Diego on July 15, 2022, with the case resolved in absentia—meaning the judge ordered removal when she was not present.
District and city reactions
Chula Vista Elementary School District Superintendent Eduardo Reyes stressed that the arrest did not occur on school property. He said the district maintains strong protocols to prevent unauthorized law enforcement access to campus and to shield students from law enforcement interactions while at school. “Our campuses remain safe spaces for students,” he told families, noting staff were focused on the children’s immediate support needs.
City Councilmember Michael Inzunza said he was troubled by the public manner of the arrest. He questioned whether the action targeted a parent solely because of immigration status and said arresting a parent in front of children harms the broader school community. Councilmember Cesar Fernandez said this was only the third known immigration enforcement action in Chula Vista since 2017, and he called for meetings with school leaders to review and strengthen district protocols.
ICE San Diego Field Office Director Patrick Divver stated the arrest was part of ongoing enforcement operations and was conducted safely without entering school grounds or involving school staff. ICE maintains that its officers acted within current policy and that agents did not access protected areas. The Chula Vista Police Department confirmed it had no role in the operation and does not engage in immigration enforcement.
“The arrest was conducted safely without entering school grounds,” — ICE San Diego Field Office Director Patrick Divver
Policy context: sensitive locations guidance rescinded
- In early 2025, the Trump administration rescinded the 2011 “sensitive locations” guidance that had discouraged arrests at places like schools, churches, and hospitals.
- With those limits removed, ICE now has more freedom to make arrests on public streets and areas near schools, provided agents do not enter private or restricted areas without a judicial warrant.
- Federal law still requires a warrant for entry into certain non-public parts of a campus, but sidewalks and roadways adjacent to schools are not covered by the earlier protections.
- As reported by VisaVerge.com, the rollback has increased sightings of enforcement activity around schools in parts of San Diego County.
Impact on families and school community
Parents and students at Camarena Elementary reported fear and confusion after witnessing the arrest. Some said they worry about drop-off and pick-up procedures. Counselors and school staff stepped in to support the affected children and reminded families to set backup plans for childcare and pickups in case a parent is detained.
Community groups, including local ministries and the San Diego Rapid Response Network, have offered accompaniment to court and legal help.
Key facts families should know now
- ICE can make arrests near schools under current policy if agents stay off restricted school areas without a warrant.
- Schools generally do not allow law enforcement to question or remove students from campus unless there is an immediate safety threat or a judge-signed warrant.
- Parents can prepare emergency forms naming trusted adults to pick up children if a parent cannot.
District officials reiterated that their staff will not share student information with immigration officers unless required by law. They encouraged parents to reach out to principals and counselors for support. The district also urged families to keep copies of key documents in a secure place.
Documents to keep handy (recommended)
- Birth certificates
- Medical information
- Emergency contact lists
Legal and emotional considerations
Legal experts warn that public arrests can cause trauma for children and reduce parent participation in school life. They note that when the “sensitive locations” guidance existed, families felt safer attending school events, seeking health care, and meeting with teachers. With the guidance rescinded, attorneys expect more operations to happen near public facilities, even if agents avoid stepping onto protected areas.
Practical steps for mixed-status and undocumented families
- Create a family safety plan:
- List at least two emergency contacts who can pick up children.
- Share this plan with the school.
- Keep important records accessible:
- Maintain a folder with key records at home and with a trusted friend.
- Seek legal help promptly:
- If you have a prior order of removal or missed court, speak with a qualified immigration attorney quickly. You may be able to file a motion to reopen, especially if you did not receive proper notice. The process is time-sensitive.
- Carefully read any immigration documents:
- Check deadlines. Missing a hearing can lead to an in absentia order, as ICE says happened in this case.
Forms and official processes (common references)
- To update an address with the immigration court: Form EOIR-33 (available on the Department of Justice site).
- For applications in removal proceedings (case-specific): Form I-589 — Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
- To ask ICE for temporary protection from deportation: Form I-246 — Application for Stay of Removal (filed with ICE).
- For broader enforcement and removal guidance: consult the official Department of Homeland Security page on immigration enforcement and removal operations.
Local response and possible policy changes
Local leaders said they will review school safety procedures and consider steps to reduce harm when federal operations occur near campuses. Options under discussion include:
- Clearer traffic control at drop-off
- Faster communication to parents when outside law enforcement actions affect the area
- More mental health resources for students
Community groups continue to push for rules that mirror the older “sensitive locations” guidance. Advocates argue that even if arrests on public streets are lawful, the timing and location can traumatize children and discourage families from engaging with school. They want federal or state action to restore protections at and near schools.
Where parents can get help
- Chula Vista Elementary School District — counseling, emergency contact updates, campus procedures
- San Diego Rapid Response Network and Catholic Charities — legal aid, case screening, referrals
- ICE San Diego Field Office — case-specific questions about detention location or bond (when appropriate)
What may happen next for Kyungjin Yu
- Outcomes depend on legal filings and ICE decisions.
- If her legal team seeks to reopen the case, they’ll likely present evidence about notice, changed country conditions, or new relief options.
- If a stay of removal is filed, ICE may consider factors like family ties, community support, and public safety concerns.
This incident underscores how policy changes can quickly affect daily school life: a federal action on a public street can ripple through a school community within minutes. While officials emphasize the campus itself remained secure, the scene left parents asking how to protect their children from witnessing such events.
Practical guidance for families: plan, stay informed, seek legal review if there’s any past immigration order, keep calm, talk with children in simple terms about safety, and use district and community resources.
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