The FBI has carried out court-authorized searches at the residence and workplace of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, according to multiple independent reports Wednesday. This federal inquiry has unsettled one of America’s largest public school systems.
According to officials and sources close to the matter, agents conducted operations at Carvalho’s home in the San Pedro area, his administrative office located at the LAUSD central headquarters in downtown Los Angeles, and an additional site in Miami linked to the case. Details outlined in the supporting affidavit for these warrants are currently sealed by the court.
The exact reasons driving this federal intervention have not been disclosed publicly.
Carvalho assumed leadership of LAUSD in 2022 after previously heading the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, managing the second-largest school district in the United States. Known as a prominent advocate for progressive education policies, Carvalho frequently speaks out against federal immigration enforcement practices. Having arrived in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant himself, Carvalho has consistently committed to protecting students and their families from any involvement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Last July, he leveled sharp criticism at ICE personnel, alleging they had urinated on school property in Pico Rivera and labeling the incident a “new level of despicable insult.” During a press event last September, he insisted that young learners deserved safeguarding from conduct he characterized as “immoral, unethical and illegal.”
“Despite the injustice. Despite the fear. Despite the pressure. Despite the unbearable lack of humanity. Our kids are soaring,” Carvalho said. “And for the second year in a row, these students have provided best-in-class achievement across all grade levels.”
These developments occur amid escalating tensions in Los Angeles over immigration policies. In recent weeks, student-led walkouts have erupted in response to ICE activities, with some gatherings escalating into property damage. Reports indicate that youths set flags ablaze, defaced buildings, and one teenager was reportedly brandishing a pipe toward law enforcement.
District leaders have responded to the demonstrations with relative restraint.
“The superintendent’s message is consistent: We care deeply about our students, and we recognize that many young people are dealing and engaging with issues they see in the news and in their community,” district Public Information Officer Christine Stephens said. “Students have the right to express themselves peacefully. At the same time, the district must uphold its responsibility to maintain a safe, supervised learning environment during the school day.”
In contrast, the Los Angeles Police Department adopted a stricter position, emphasizing that school attendance remains legally required.
“The city requires school attendance and there may be legal consequences for parents and students,” the LAPD stated. “It is unlawful for any minors under 18 to be in public places, streets, or amusement spots during school hours.”
Federal officials have not provided details on the substance of the inquiry concerning Carvalho. With the affidavit under seal, key aspects of the investigation’s objectives and extent remain unresolved.