Fear of ICE Raids Disrupts High School Football in Los Angeles

A quiet high school football field in Los Angeles reflects the impact of ICE raids on student participation.

News Summary

Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles are causing high school students to skip football practices out of fear for their safety and potential deportation. The situation has affected schools like Belmont, Contreras, and Roybal, leading to a significant drop in student attendance and participation in sports activities. Coaches are adapting training methods to prioritize student safety and well-being as the community navigates this climate of anxiety exacerbated by recent detentions and deportations.

Los Angeles — A wave of fear stemming from recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is disrupting the football practices and lives of high school students in Los Angeles. Around 20 players from the Contreras Learning Center skipped summer practice due to anxiety related to ICE’s presence in their neighborhoods, which has increased following high-profile operations in the area, particularly near MacArthur Park.

Parents are advising their children to remain at home amid fears of deportation and identity checks. The apprehension is palpable at three downtown Los Angeles high schools—Contreras, Roybal, and Belmont—where the community’s uneasy sentiment over ongoing immigration enforcement actions has left students uncertain about attending games and practices. Coaches from these schools have joined forces to allay concerns from athletes and their parents.

The community’s distress was exacerbated by an incident involving a 17-year-old athlete, Nory Santoy Ramos, who was detained and subsequently deported to Guatemala after attending a scheduled immigration appointment. This event has significantly impacted parental perceptions of safety and participation in school activities.

Currently, Belmont High School’s enrollment has plummeted to under 700 students, a dramatic decline from over 6,000 at its peak, which has adversely affected athletic participation levels. Similarly, attendance for various sports—including football, cheerleading, and volleyball—has suffered due to heightened fears surrounding ICE operations. Coaches report that many students are opting out of practices, even for reasons unrelated to sports, such as grocery shopping and medical appointments, all attributed to parental caution.

As of now, Belmont High School has merely 20 football players registered for the fall season, with only half regularly attending workouts. The coaching staff is reassessing their approach to the football season, focusing instead on player safety and support. They are also adapting their training locations and methods, ensuring that activities are conducted in ways that mitigate risks associated with the potential for ICE encounters.

The upcoming football game between Garfield and Roosevelt, a significant event for the local student body, is being planned with security measures in response to the current climate. Coaches and staff members are emphasizing safety while commuting, recognizing that heightened concerns are affecting student morale and participation.

Recent ICE raids have led to the arrest of over 2,700 individuals over the span of six weeks, with data indicating that two-thirds of detainees had no previous criminal convictions. This trend has raised fears of racial profiling within Latino communities, as residents express deep concern over how these operations influence their lives—both socially and economically.

Parental reluctance to allow children to participate in extracurricular activities has led to significantly reduced attendance rates. This change is further supported by school officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District, who maintain that schools still function as safe havens despite the external immigration enforcement challenges faced by families.

Coaches from the affected schools have been engaging in active communication with parents to encourage participation in practices while also providing support regarding students’ emotional well-being. The emphasis remains on fostering a supportive environment where players feel secure, particularly amidst the current climate of uncertainty created by ICE’s ongoing operations.

The outcomes of these combined efforts remain to be seen as the football season approaches, but the overarching narrative continues to revolve around safety and community cohesion in a time of prevalent fear.