California Rep. Luz Rivas accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of “kidnapping” three parents near Van Nuys Elementary School in Los Angeles. She called for abolishing the agency, accusing its officers of frightening families around schools. However, her remarks sparked criticism from users who argued that ICE was enforcing immigration laws.
In a video circulating on X, Rivas said the incident occurred the previous day. She called the officers “ICE thugs” and argued that children should feel safe at school without fearing their parents’ detention. She also criticized immigration enforcement near schools, where she said families deserved to learn and grow without fear.
To address those concerns, she highlighted her co-sponsorship of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. The legislation would prohibit immigration enforcement within 1,000 feet of schools and other designated locations. These include healthcare facilities, churches, courthouses and polling places.
Her criticism extended to the Trump administration, which she accused of using “violent tactics to terrorize our communities.” She pledged to demand answers from ICE and hold the administration accountable. She also reiterated her opposition to the agency, declaring that “ICE must be abolished.”
Critics Challenge Luz Rivas Over ICE Arrests Near Van Nuys School
On X, users disputed Rivas’ description of the incident and questioned her proposed restrictions on immigration enforcement.
“It’s not kidnapping. It’s deporting,” one user wrote. Another challenged her criticism of the agency, stating, “You’re in Congress? ICE is enforcing laws that Congress passed.”
Others focused on the proposed protections for sensitive locations. “Stopping immigration law enforcement in ‘sensitive places’ solves nothing,” one response argued. Another disputed her concerns about school safety, writing, “Families and students feel safer at school, not fearful when ICE officers are doing their jobs.”
However, some questioned the treatment of immigrant families. “I don’t think ICE should tear families apart,” one user wrote. Another challenged assumptions about those detained, stating, “These people haven’t even been identified yet.”
The available accounts do not establish the parents’ immigration status or whether ICE deported anyone following the reported arrests.
