By: Dani Miskell / 10News / Oct. 15, 2026
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff visited Point Loma High School on Thursday, October 15, to discuss how immigration enforcement has impacted San Diego schools.
The visit marked the first time in 13 years that a U.S. senator visited a school in the San Diego Unified School District, according to the district. Former Sen. Barbara Boxer last visited a district school when she stopped at an elementary school in Barrio Logan.
About 100 juniors and seniors had the opportunity to meet with Schiff and ask questions, including about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations near schools.
Although no incidents of parents being detained near Point Loma High School have been reported, similar concerns have surfaced elsewhere in the district.
San Diego Unified Superintendent Fabi Bagula has called on federal authorities to avoid conducting immigration enforcement near schools, particularly during arrival and dismissal times.
“Our schools should not be a backdrop for this type of enforcement activity,” Bagula said.
Schiff said he wanted to raise awareness about reported increases in immigration enforcement operations in California and discuss legislation he and other Democratic lawmakers have introduced to place additional restrictions on federal agents.
Rep. Sara Jacobs, who also spoke about the issue, recalled visiting John Marshall Elementary School about two weeks earlier, where second-grade students asked her questions about ICE.
Rep. Mike Levin said lawmakers are seeking greater accountability and transparency from ICE, including requirements for agents to remove masks, display identification, wear cameras and obtain judicial warrants rather than relying solely on administrative warrants.
The lawmakers said they hope their proposed legislation will advance in the near future.
ABC 10News received the following statement from an ICE spokesperson of Friday:
“San Diego County is home to hundreds of elementary, middle, and high schools spread throughout its communities. Given the number of schools across the region, it is not unusual for lawful immigration enforcement operations to take place within the general vicinity of a school. However, proximity to a school does not mean that enforcement activity is being conducted on school grounds or that a school is the target of an operation.
It is also important to establish what constitutes ‘near a school.’ Are we referring to 100 feet, 200 feet, half a mile, one mile, or two miles? Without a clearly defined distance, describing enforcement activity as occurring ‘near schools’ can create a misleading impression about where these operations are taking place.
ICE officers conduct targeted enforcement operations based on investigative and operational considerations, not simply the presence of a nearby school. The location of an arrest should be accurately represented, and a distinction must be made between an enforcement action occurring in the surrounding community and one occurring on school property.”
