Federal authorities responded Saturday to allegations that ICE officers chased a local activist into a Grant Hill high school, where he was admitted after fleeing from them.
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials, in a statement posted to social media, recounted Wednesday’s incident, outside King Chavez Community High School, a charter campus on 30th Street.
They accused the unnamed activist, whom they characterized as “a known agitator with a long criminal history,” of failing to consider the threat he might pose to the school. They also criticized an administrator, also unidentified, calling it “deeply disturbing” that someone seemingly unconnected to the school was allowed on campus.
ICE statement from the incident near King Chavez Community High School. pic.twitter.com/nUGI4O6lGF
— ICE San Diego (@EROSanDiego) March 7, 2026
“Running from law enforcement into an active school campus created a dangerous situation and unnecessarily put children, staff and officers at risk,” ICE said in the statement.
Arturo González – who identifies himself as an “activist/content creator” on his social media accounts – posted videos Wednesday in which he can be heard taunting individuals sitting inside a black Nissan parked on a residential street. One pulls a light-colored gaiter-type mask over his face, apparently in response to being recorded.
González taunts them, calling them “La migra” and “Nazis” and cursing at them. When they exit the vehicle, he runs, saying “Guys, they’re chasing me again.” He approaches a building and yells, panting, “Hey, they’re trying to grab me. Can you let me in?” and climbs some steps.
Someone responds, “Can you just back off? I need to keep kids safe.” González, though, is permitted to enter after what appears to be an edit in the recording.
“You guys, ICE just chased me into a school and I’m hiding,” he says as the video ends.
González posted a new video Saturday, following ICE’s statement and a media report regarding the incident. He said he was near the school to warn parents near the drop-off zone that ICE was nearby and officers “escalated” the situation.
He added that the media report, by NBC San Diego, failed to include parts of his videos that “show the federal agents being the dangerous ones in the community.”
He also defended the school’s principal, identified as Desi Sullivan on the school’s staff contact list.
“They’re trying to make it seem like the principal did something wrong when in reality she is a hero, you guys,” he said. “She is my hero. She is the community’s hero, you guys.”
King Chavez is a charter school authorized by the San Diego Unified School District. A district spokesman said Saturday that the school operates independently of the district.
Sullivan did not respond to an email seeking comment.
ICE concluded its Saturday statement by saying, “Anyone who interferes with law enforcement officers performing their duties may face arrest. ICE remains committed to enforcing the law safely and professionally while protecting the communities we serve.”
