The Santa Ana Unified School District has suspended all summer field trips for a third consecutive week due to ongoing federal immigration raids in the area. District spokesperson Fermin Leal assured that no schools or district-affiliated activities have been targeted by federal agents. However, enforcement-related disruptions in neighborhoods prompted the decision to keep all summer activities on campus. The district will reevaluate the suspension next Monday.
The move comes as immigration sweeps by federal agents continue across Orange County, with the National Guard stationed in downtown Santa Ana. Businesses in the area report significant drops in sales and foot traffic. Diana Lopez, a psychologist in the district, highlighted the fear among students, saying, “They’re scared that they’ll come home to nobody.”
In response to the raids, several Orange County school districts declared their campuses as “safe havens” and offered support to affected families. The Garden Grove Unified School District launched a helpline staffed by bilingual school liaisons to connect families with resources, while the Anaheim Union High School District reiterated its commitment to protecting student privacy and safety.
The ongoing ICE operations have sparked protests and clashes with law enforcement in Santa Ana. Local leaders, including Santa Ana USD Board of Education Trustee Valerie Magdaleno, have condemned the actions and called for the National Guard to leave the city. The situation has raised concerns about the impact on the estimated 12,000 school-aged children in Orange County who lack legal status.
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