A group of approximately 20 migrants caused distress to young children when they attempted to board a California school bus on Wednesday morning. This incident occurred just one day after a smaller group of migrants walked along a highway in an attempt to halt another bus, according to district officials.
In the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District near the Mexico border, there have been concerning incidents. As a result, school bus drivers have been instructed to avoid stops where migrants may be waiting.
According to a report by Fox 5, on Tuesday, a group of migrants attempted to halt a bus on Highway 94 by walking in its path.
On Wednesday morning, a group of approximately 20 individuals attempted to board a bus at a nearby stop while students were getting on for school. This incident caused parents to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their children.
“It was definitely really scary,,” expressed Nicole Cardinale, a concerned mother whose 8-year-old son was on the bus on Wednesday.
She described feeling a sense of helplessness upon receiving the alarming notification about the incident.
Cardinale mentioned that her son was quite perplexed by the unsettling incident. “According to the witness, the individuals in question were not children, but adults wearing backpacks, who were attempting to board our bus…” According to her, she informed Fox 5 that there was a significant number of them.
“It’s just scary that these kids were put in that situation,” Cardinale added.
“If those 20 people would have gotten onto the bus and tried to take over the bus, these kids and the bus driver could have been in real danger.”
The district has notified the California Highway Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and US Border Patrol about the incident.
According to an activist assisting at the nearby border, it is possible that the migrants spotted a bus that could potentially transport them to a safer location with assistance.
However, according to Jeremy Adams, another parent in the district, he expressed concern about the individuals attempting to board his child’s bus, stating, “We are unfamiliar with the identities of these individuals.”
“We don’t know if they have any criminal history, what their background is.”
The sheriff’s department is currently conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if any criminal activity has taken place.
“The Sheriff’s Office takes issues regarding student safety very seriously and are working with the school district in order to keep the students and our community safe,” said spokesperson Kimberly King.
School district Superintendent Liz Bystedt, on the other hand, has instructed all bus drivers to bypass stops in the vicinity of migrants, as reported by Fox 5. This directive was communicated to parents through a letter.
“Please stay [vigilant] and if the bus drives by, please follow the bus to pick up your child at the next stop,” she told parents and guardians.
The superintendent mentioned that the district’s director of maintenance and operations has been closely monitoring the buses along the route to ensure a peaceful environment.
Rep. Darrell Issa, who represents the district, was one of the individuals expressing strong disapproval of the incidents.
