FBI Raids LA Unified School District Offices and Superintendent's Home

Carvalho has been a vocal critic of aggressive immigration enforcement around schools.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The FBI has raided the offices of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the home of its superintendent, Austin Carvalho. Carvalho has been praised for gains in student performance since taking over the nation's second-largest school district in 2022, but has also been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts, especially around schools.

Why it matters

The raid on LAUSD, one of the largest school districts in the country, and the home of its superintendent raises questions about the federal government's targeting of school districts and their leaders, particularly those who have spoken out against aggressive immigration policies.

The details

According to court filings, the Department of Justice has petitioned to join a lawsuit against LAUSD in which a group has accused the school district of discriminating against white students by assigning resources and educational opportunities based on the racial composition of schools. The DOJ alleges these actions violate the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.

  • The FBI raid on LAUSD offices and Carvalho's home occurred on February 25, 2026.
  • Carvalho has served as LAUSD superintendent since 2022.

The players

Austin Carvalho

The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since 2022, who has been praised for gains in student performance but has also been a vocal critic of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement efforts, especially around schools.

Los Angeles Unified School District

The nation's second-largest school district, which was the target of the FBI raid.

Department of Justice

The federal agency that has petitioned to join a lawsuit against LAUSD, alleging the district is discriminating against white students by assigning resources and educational opportunities based on the racial composition of schools.

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What they’re saying

“We are a better society and a better country than the headlines and the actions we see these days. There are no sidewalks for immigrant children and sidewalks for everybody else. Everybody walks the same sidewalk of hope and opportunity to our schools.”

— Austin Carvalho, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the DOJ to join the lawsuit against LAUSD.

The takeaway

This raid raises concerns about the federal government's targeting of school districts and their leaders, particularly those who have spoken out against aggressive immigration policies. It also highlights the ongoing debate over issues of racial equity and discrimination in education.