In downtown Los Angeles, fear and anxiety permeate the air for families connected to three high schools: Contreras, Roybal, and Belmont.
The wave of immigration raids conducted by ICE has left parents hesitant to allow their children to participate in summer practice sessions, with many students afraid to leave their homes.
Manuel Guevara, the football coach at Contreras Learning Center, noted that over 20 players had skipped practice due to concerns for their safety.
“Kids were messaging me that their parents don’t want them to leave their house,” Guevara stated.
The situation reflects a broader tension affecting students and families as they worry about their safety amid unpredictable ICE actions.
As the official football season begins, coaches from the three schools—Guevara, Michael Galvan from Roybal, and Kenneth Daniels from Belmont—are collaborating to provide support to their players and the families impacted by the raids.
They express a united stance yet remain unsure when the raids will cease and how ongoing fears might affect players’ participation this fall.
The situation has escalated with reports of a 17-year-old athlete, Nory Santoy Ramos, being detained and later deported to Guatemala following an immigration appointment.
Families in the neighborhood, which heavily relies on afterschool activities, now face cuts in budgets and struggles with homelessness, gang violence, and drug issues around MacArthur Park.
While all three coaches maintain that players feel secure while on campus, the greatest concern remains their journeys to and from school.
Galvan expressed, “A piece of me worries about them getting home safe.”
Guevara shared a particular case where one player conveyed he’s almost certain his mother would leave the country, taking him away due to fear of ICE.
He explained that some players had kept him informed via messages about not being able to attend practice as their parents were too afraid.
Statistics confirm the startling reality that since the start of the raids, over 2,700 individuals have been detained in Southern California, with more than two-thirds having no prior criminal record.
“I understand their plight,” Guevara reflected on the experience of immigrant families.
Having immigrated himself at the age of one and becoming a citizen by age 17, he empathizes deeply with the struggles families face.
Belmont is reportedly struggling to field a complete football team for the upcoming season, with enrollment dropping to under 700, compared to its former size of over 6,000 before the establishment of Contreras and Roybal.
Carlos Calderon, the athletic director, noted that parental concerns regarding safety have directly influenced attendance at practices.
“Parents have been expressing their discomfort with sending kids to practices,” he said, noting that he has seen an increase in communication from families about safety.
To ease parental worries, some teams have adjusted their training routines, opting to use the school track rather than venturing into public areas like Elysian Park.
Daniels recounted a recent incident where, upon discovering an ICE raid happening nearby, he instructed his players to exit the school premises through a back entrance for their safety.
“It’s really affecting us,” Daniels lamented about the decline in attendance.
With only 20 players registered for football at Belmont, half of them have been showing up consistently for practices.
Typically, teams can expect new players to join once classes resume on August 14.
However, Daniels is already facing significant challenges as he also deals with the aftermath of losing his home to the Eaton fire.
“It’s been a tough year in 2025,” he remarked.
Galvan revealed that some of his players have missed practices because they had to run errands for family members hesitant to venture out.
Medical appointments have also been postponed due to parents’ fears of leaving their homes, highlighting the critical impact these raids have on daily lives beyond school.
Reflecting on his longstanding experience in education, Galvan noted that the current climate is unprecedented.
“In all of my 25 years of teaching in the area, I’ve never experienced anything like this,” he stated.
Uncertainty surrounds upcoming games, particularly the highly anticipated Garfield-Roosevelt matchup, known as the East L.A. Classic, set for October 24.
Organizers are deliberating on venue and security arrangements to ensure the safety of attendees amidst the ongoing concerns surrounding ICE actions.
Lorenzo Hernandez, athletic director at Garfield, assured, “We will continue to follow district guidelines to ensure the well-being of our entire school community.”
Galvan emphasized the importance of adapting their approach this season to accommodate the needs of their student-athletes while maintaining safety.
“We definitely have to approach this season differently,” he stressed.
Skipping summer practices may not hinder team progress, but a continued trend of absences during the fall season will pose challenges to their preparation.
Guevara remains dedicated to supporting his players, recalling his words spoken to players after the July 7 incident in MacArthur Park: “Be vigilant, be careful.”
As the season progresses, this message of caution will likely be reiterated to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
image source from：latimes
