A Moorpark middle school student and the student’s parents have been deported to Tijuana after being detained by federal immigration agents on March 23, school district officials said.
Daniel Wolowicz, spokesperson for the Moorpark Unified School District, said in a written statement the Moorpark family was detained during an appointment at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Camarillo.
A second child in preschool who was born in the United States was not detained and is being cared for by other family members, Wolowicz said.
“We remain in contact with the family and have provided support, including resources for legal assistance,” he said. “We have also shared information about financial help and access to food.”
The school district declined to provide names and other information about the three people detained, citing the involvement of children.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said in an email it’s impossible to confirm the actions or provide details without names.
School officials first learned of the action on the morning of March 23, Wolowicz said.
“We were informed by a student that her friend… and her friend’s parents were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this morning,” he said in the written statement.
The action took place in Camarillo and not on school property, he said.
“We are committed to creating an environment where immigration status does not limit opportunities for growth, learning and success,” he said. “We want every family in Moorpark Unified to know that our schools are safe spaces where all students belong.”
Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805 UndocuFund, said her nonprofit organization is also in contact with family members and providing short-term case management. She noted that many schools have immigration protocols in place but expressed uncertainty over whether immigration agents would abide by any rules.
“They are trying to do what they can, I guess,” she said of schools.
Hernandez also focused on the preschool child separated from their parents by the detention and deportation.
“It’s happening everywhere,” she said.
Wolowicz noted the district has shared immigration rights resources with students’ families and have sent reminders about their rights. He said school leaders are part of a collaborative effort that brings together nonprofits, city leaders, public safety officials and others.
“The goal is to coordinate resources and provide support in response to immigration enforcement activity,” he said.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Moorpark student, parents detained by ICE, school officials say
Reporting by Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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