Federal authorities executed court-approved search warrants Wednesday at the home and office of Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, along with a residence in Southwest Ranches, Florida, reportedly tied to him.
The operations have drawn national attention, raising questions about the investigation’s focus because LAUSD is the second-largest school district in the United States, according to Trending Politcs.
The FBI confirmed the warrants but provided limited details, noting that the supporting affidavits remain sealed.
Carvalho has led LAUSD since February 2022, after 14 years as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He was unanimously reappointed last year.
LAUSD serves more than 600,000 students across over 1,000 schools, second only to New York City in enrollment, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles.
Video footage and eyewitness reports show multiple agents removing boxes from Carvalho’s San Pedro residence while staff evacuated the downtown LAUSD headquarters.
Neighbors reported seeing approximately 20 agents in the area early Wednesday morning.
The FBI declined to comment on what evidence may have been seized or whether the probe is aimed at Carvalho personally or at broader district operations. No arrests have been reported.
Carvalho has frequently addressed federal immigration enforcement publicly.
As a former illegal alien, he has pledged to shield students and families from ICE actions.
In July, he criticized ICE for an incident at a Pico Rivera school, calling it “a new level of despicable insult,” and in September, he demanded protections against what he described as “immoral, unethical, and illegal actions” targeting students.
Recent tensions in Los Angeles have intensified as students staged walkouts protesting ICE activities.
Some demonstrations became destructive, involving property damage and minor confrontations with officers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
LAUSD spokeswoman Christine Stephens emphasized students have the right to peaceful protest, but attendance remains mandatory. The LAPD reminded parents that minors in public areas during school hours may face legal consequences.
The district also faces ongoing litigation over Proposition 28 funds, Fox 11 noted.
Plaintiffs claim $76.7 million intended for arts and music programs was redirected to replace existing budgets rather than expand programming, potentially violating state law.
LAUSD has maintained that it followed all funding guidelines and state requirements.
In addition, the Department of Justice has intervened in a civil rights case filed by the 1776 Project Foundation, alleging LAUSD discriminates against white students under its PHBAO (Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Other non-Anglo) labeling system.
The lawsuit argues that students attending non-designated schools face disadvantages in funding, teacher-student ratios, and admissions to magnet programs, highlighting ongoing federal scrutiny over equity and resource allocation.
Federal authorities continue to investigate Carvalho and the district, while LAUSD has stated it is fully cooperating with investigators.
Carvalho has not publicly commented on the searches. With the affidavits sealed, it remains unclear whether the investigation targets Carvalho personally, broader district management, or other associated matters.
The events underscore the complex challenges facing large urban school districts.
LAUSD leaders must navigate federal oversight, state funding mandates, student activism, and public scrutiny, all while managing the educational needs of hundreds of thousands of children.
The search warrants mark an unusual escalation in federal oversight and have heightened public interest in the operations and governance of the nation’s second-largest school system.
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