A Korean American parent living in San Diego was detained in an ICE arrest at Chula Vista school on August 6, 2025, in front of her children, prompting criticism from the local community.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Kyungjin Yu was taken into custody outside Camarena Elementary School for a visa overstay. The arrest occurred during morning drop-off, and Yu’s children were inside the car. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allowed Yu to contact her ex-husband, who received the children at the scene.
Yu is being held at the Otay Mesa Immigration Detention Center in San Diego. DHS records show that she entered the United States in 2015, her visa expired in 2017, she failed to appear at an immigration hearing, and a final deportation order was issued in 2022. Yu is reported to have no criminal record. In 2023, her ex-husband requested a domestic violence restraining order during their divorce; the current status is unclear.
Michael Inzunza, a member of the Chula Vista City Council, condemned the operation, saying, “Dragging a parent away in front of children crosses the line” and calling ICE’s tactics “disgusting and shameful.” He added, “It makes no sense to traumatize children over a simple visa overstay.”
Data cited by KPBS on arrests of undocumented immigrants show that in 2025, 30 people have been arrested in Chula Vista, with 40% having prior convictions. In 2024, 9 were arrested, with 66% having prior convictions. In 2023, 4 were arrested, all with prior convictions.
This case adds to the debate over the ICE arrest at Chula Vista school and immigration enforcement practices in community settings.
