The San Diego Unified School District said a parent was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while they were waiting to pick up their child from Linda Vista Elementary School on Thursday afternoon. Video from a witness showed three federal agents pulling a man from a red sedan in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, less than a block from Linda Vista Elementary School, around 3:10 p.m. Thursday. The witness, who did not want to be identified out of fear, said she saw the agents hitting the car before forcing the man out. "He was saying, 'What's happening? Why me?' It's sad," she said. Department of Homeland Security representatives responded on Saturday with the following statement attributed to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: “The target of the operation was Juan Jose Martinez Cortes, an illegal alien from Mexico, who was fraudulently using an American’s social security number. Officers approached Martinez after he pulled over in a parking lot. On August 14, ICE arrested Martinez and placed him in removal proceedings." Principal Miriam Atlas said in a letter to parents that the incident was witnessed by multiple families, but no students. "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," Atlas wrote in Thursday's letter. Local The father was concerned about his child's welfare and was picking them up from school, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula said at a news conference Friday. The school then contacted the child's mother, who was able to pick up the child from school. "There may be a lot of debates about immigration reform, but there should be no debate that this kind of tactic is inhumane," Bagula said. The principal said that ICE cannot enter campus without a proper warrant, but the incident has already sent shockwaves through the school community. Several students did not show up for school on Friday, a member of the school board said. "I think it's horrible that this is happening because now parents are going to be fearful to bring their kids or pick up their kids. I wouldn't be surprised if kids start missing a lot of school now," parent Anna Lopez said. "The whole thing was supposed to be about, you know, picking up criminals. What criminals ... will bring their kids to school and pick them up from school?" SDUSD's administration banded together Friday to show solidarity for students and their families. SDUSD Board President Cody Petterson said the board would consider additional options for students, including virtual learning or expanded transportation options. "They know this is harming students. They know this is harming families," Petterson said. "You have to assume that if they're doing this, knowing it’s having an effect, that they're doing it to have that effect." The school's administration said it has reminded its staff of the rules and procedures when it comes to federal authorities. Atlas pointed families to the SDUSD's Equity Division website, which has a page dedicated to sharing information about the district community's rights. Atlas said that resources will be available on campus if students or their families need support. Extra officers and counselors were brought in to Linda Vista Elementary on Friday. Bagula ensured that SDUSD's schools will continue to be a safe place for students. "This did not just happen to one household. It happened to an entire school community. It left children and family and staff with questions and fears that no one, especially our youngest learners, should have to carry," she said. Dr. Fabiola Bagula, the San Diego Unified School District Superintendent, addresses the media about the ICE arrest near one of its schools on Aug. 15, 2025. Sabrina Bazzo, a SDUSD board member, also in attendance at the news conference on Friday, condemned the arrest. "What occurred near our schools is unacceptable. We are a school district that is welcoming to all students and their families, and we are determined to maintain a school environment where everyone knows they are welcome," Bazzo said.