Moreno Valley parents report ICE detentions near elementary school

Angela Alvarez said her son’s classmates were screaming when immigration enforcement officers detained a man outside Sunnymead Elementary School on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred during student drop-off, and video footage shows the detention taking place as children arrived for classes. One bystander recorded the scene and shouted, "You guys gotta stop ripping families apart." Several parents who witnessed the event said the sight was disturbing and that the children in the background were vocal about what was happening.

Miguel Ibarra, another parent at the school, described the community as feeling "very scared" and "on edge." He noted that it is difficult to navigate daily life in the area given the recent activity. The detention near Sunnymead Elementary was one of at least four separate instances of immigration enforcement reported across Moreno Valley that Wednesday morning. Witness videos were shared with local media showing activity in various locations throughout the city.

Lizbeth, the deputy director for the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, stated that her organization’s rapid response team verified at least six arrests in a span of less than two and a half hours. She explained that many of those detained were primary breadwinners for their families. "A lot of the times we see, like today, workers, the head of household getting taken," she said. She added that families are often left unsure of how to pay rent or bills while seeking legal support.

Local media have not independently confirmed the total number of arrests cited by the coalition. The figures rely on reports verified by the organization’s response team. Parents indicated that this is the second time in recent weeks that enforcement activity has been reported near the elementary school. Many families are now worried that the presence of officers is discouraging students from attending class due to fear.

Alvarez shared a specific example of the impact on her son’s classroom. His class has 35 students, but only 11 cupcakes were brought to his birthday celebration last week. "People are afraid to send their kid to school," she said. In response, some parents are volunteering to transport students whose families are hesitant to leave their homes. The Department of Homeland Security provided a statement regarding the operations. A DHS spokesperson said, "For operational security and the safety of our officers, ICE will not disclose or discuss law enforcement operations." The department added that it enforces laws daily across the country, including in California.

Officials did not provide specific details about the operations conducted in Moreno Valley on Wednesday. The lack of specific information has left many community members relying on witness accounts and local advocacy groups for updates on the situation.