Federal immigration agents detained a father near Park Dale Lane Elementary School in Encinitas, California, while he was en route to work, the school district said.The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on August 20 at an intersection near the school and was witnessed by family members, community members, staff and some students, the Encinitas Union School District wrote in a letter to the community."Any allegation an immigration enforcement operation occurred at a school is FALSE. This arrest took place multiple blocks away from, and entirely out of view of, Park Dale Elementary School," an official at the Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek.Newsweek has contacted the family via GoFundMe for comment and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) via email outside office hours....Why It MattersPresident Donald Trump has directed his administration to remove millions of migrants without legal status and enforce a hard-line strategy toward curbing migration. The administration is enacting plans to carry out what it describes as mass deportations and maintains that anyone living in the country unlawfully is a criminal. The undocumented immigrant population in the United States reached 14 million in 2023, the highest level on record, according to a new estimate from the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.What To KnowThe Encinitas Union School District confirmed that the man was the father of a student at the school."We are alarmed and disturbed by this event and its impact on children and families," Andrée Grey, the district's superintendent, wrote in a letter to parents.District community liaisons are working individually with families to connect them with resources and support, according to the Encinitas Union School District.Video footage circulating on social media shows bystanders asking to see an arrest warrant as the man is taken into custody.Community members have rallied to support the affected family through a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help cover legal fees, living expenses and potential relocation costs, according to the fundraising page.In January, the Trump administration granted ICE the authority to apprehend migrants suspected of being in the country illegally in or near schools.ICE previously had a policy requiring agents to get prior approval before making arrests in "sensitive locations," such as schools, churches and hospitals. That policy went into effect in 2011 under then-Director John Morton.The policy sought to let undocumented migrants move freely in public spaces while allowing exceptions for serious threats, dangerous felons and imminent harm, as well as to protect evidence.The Trump administration rolled back parts of the policy, giving ICE agents more authority to conduct immigration arrests in these locations.What People Are SayingAn official at the Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek: "This was a targeted immigration enforcement action involving an illegal alien from Guatemala, who has a final order of removal from an immigration judge since 2017. The illegal alien was alone in his vehicle when officers pulled him over. During the arrest, his spouse appeared at that scene and with a young child in the back seat and proceeded to involve herself and child in the situation."Friends of the family wrote on GoFundMe: "This working father and his family needs support from our community."Immigration and Customs Enforcement told KPBS in a statement: "ICE San Diego finds it unfortunate that an individual chose to insert a child into an active law enforcement situation."Andrée Grey, the superintendent of the Encinitas Union School District, wrote in a letter: "USD stands firmly with every family in this community. Our top priority is for our school campuses to be safe, welcoming places for all children and families, regardless of immigration status."What Happens NextThe man is likely to remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings.Update 8/22/25, 10:39 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a comment from the Department of Homeland Security.