Sánchez demands accountability after ICE agents trespass, urinate on school property

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today demanded accountability from the Trump administration after ICE agents were videotaped trespassing and urinating on the grounds of Ruben Salazar High School in broad daylight, near a preschool playground in Pico Rivera, Calif.

“As a member of Congress, my constituents elected me to conduct oversight duties and ensure that these federal agents – whose salaries are paid by the American people – follow the law and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner expected of law enforcement agents,” the congresswoman wrote.

Full text of the congresswoman’s letter is available HERE and follows:

July 3, 2025

The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528

Mr. Todd M. Lyons
Acting Director
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D.C. 20024

Mr. Joseph V. Cuffari
Inspector General
Office of Inspector General
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20530

I write today expressing grave concern over the conduct of a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Ruben Salazar High School in Pico Rivera, California on June 17, 2025. 

According to El Rancho Unified School District (ERUSD), located in my district, ICE agents in 8 to 10 unmarked vehicles attempted to conduct immigration enforcement at the high school. The agents did not provide a judicial warrant, nor did they raise a legitimate reason for their presence on school grounds. ERUSD staff informed the agents that they could not enter or remain on school grounds. The ICE agents subsequently left the school. 

ERUSD staff then reviewed security footage, which showed approximately 10 agents publicly urinating on school property at approximately 8:54 a.m., within mere feet of a preschool playground. This playground is part of ERUSD’s Early Learning Program. Two other schools are also immediately next to where the agents urinated. 

ICE agents have routinely disregarded the rule of law in my district. On June 18, ICE unlawfully asserted civil immigration enforcement by arresting and detaining a U.S. citizen in Pico Rivera. And now, it appears that ICE agents could be exposing themselves to minors. 

Given the potential violation of Cal. Penal Code §§ 314, 290 and 18 U.S. Code § 1752, I demand an investigation from the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I additionally request that ICE and DHS provide answers to the following questions in the interim.

1. Upon what basis did these ICE agents choose Ruben Salazar High school to conduct immigration enforcement?
    
2. Please provide the identification of the 10 ICE agents who exposed themselves on school grounds.
    
3. Are these agents still employed by ICE? And if so, in what capacity and what disciplinary actions have been taken against them?
    
4. Will the results of the internal investigation that DHS is conducting be available to the public?
    
5. What steps are DHS and ICE going to take to ensure that this sort of conduct does not occur again?

As a member of Congress, my constituents elected me to conduct oversight duties and ensure that these federal agents – whose salaries are paid by the American people – follow the law and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner expected of law enforcement agents. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to a timely response.

Sincerely,

Linda T. Sánchez
Member of Congress

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