School Workers Video Raises Questions
A viral video posted by a Los Angeles school worker claiming that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a fifth-grade graduation ceremony has been thoroughly debunked by school officials, media fact-checkers, and law enforcement sources.
The school worker, known as “Mr. Howie” on Instagram, shared an emotional post alleging that parents attending the June 6 culmination event at Gratts Learning Academy for Young Scholars fled in fear when ICE agents showed up. Visibly distressed in the video, he claimed undocumented parents were forced to abandon their children at the ceremony, sparking chaos and tears among students.
“Parents had to run out because they don’t have papers, and they had to leave their kids because the kids do,” Mr. Howie said tearfully. The video, filled with expletives and dramatic language, quickly gained traction online, stoking fear and outrage among viewers.
However, within hours, the narrative began to unravel.
On X (formerly Twitter), users flagged the video with a “Community Notes” correction labeling the story as an “outright lie.” The Los Angeles Times followed up with a fact-check report confirming that no ICE activity was recorded at the school or in the vicinity on that day.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) officials responded swiftly. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho addressed the matter directly at a press conference on Monday, stating, “We’ve investigated it. All the reports that came back was that no such event happened.”
LAUSD Region East reinforced the district’s findings on Instagram, stating:
“We are aware of recent rumors circulating on social media regarding immigration enforcement activity at the 5th grade culmination ceremony at Gratts Learning Academy for Young Scholars on June 6, 2025... these claims are false.”
The district assured families that no enforcement took place and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and community trust. “If any parent [or] guardian sees immigration enforcement activity, they may inform their school,” the statement added.