Illegal immigrants attempt to stop, board school buses on California freeway

Two school bus routes in California have been interrupted this week after illegal immigrants tried to board them. The news comes amid the ongoing immigration crisis at the southern border.

In an email to families obtained by FOX 5, Superintendent Liz Bystedt of the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District said that the illegal immigrants attempted to board along the district’s A and B school bus routes.

The first incident occurred Tuesday afternoon along the district’s Route A near the intersection of Highway 94 and Cochera Via during which a group of three men were walking in the middle of the highway trying to stop one of the buses, causing it to “go around” the group.

On Wednesday morning, on Route B, a group of about 20 illegal immigrants attempted to board a bus as it was picking students up from the same stop, however, parents helped the driver ensure no one boarded the bus. The district reported the incidents to the US Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Kimberly King with the Sheriff’s Department told the outlet in a statement, “The San Diego Sheriff’s Office was made aware of this incident today. We are conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if a criminal act has occurred. 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,”

Bystedt noted in the email that “for the safety of students and bus drivers” buses will bypass stops if there are illegal immigrants nearby and head directly to the next stop on the route. She added, “Please stay vigilant and if the bus drives by, please follow the bus to pick up your child at the next stop.”