A California community just outside of San Diego is on high alert after two reported incidents involving migrants trying to board school buses this week. Witnesses said that around 20 migrants tried to get on a school bus carrying elementary students on Wednesday morning, Aug. 28.
The bus driver and parents were able to step in and keep the group off of the bus, according to those present at the time of the incident.
“These were adults,” Nicole Cardinale, a parent whose 8-year-old son told her of the encounter. “They weren’t kids. [He] said that ‘they had backpacks on, mom, and they tried to get on our bus,’ and he says, ‘and there was a lot of them.’”
The other incident occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 27, as three migrant men tried to stop a school bus with middle school students on a highway, apparently wanting to get on board the bus as well.
It is unclear if the incidents are related or why the migrants allegedly tried to stop the buses, but school officials said they’re not taking any chances.
The schools have warned parents that buses will drive past drop-off stops with migrants nearby and advised parents to be vigilant. If a bus does pass a drop-off stop, officials advise parents to pick their kids up at the next stop.
Meanwhile, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office said that it is investigating the incidents to see whether or not a “criminal act occurred.”
