Imagine the scene: you’re sending your kid off to school on the bus like any other day, but then suddenly, there’s an unexpected interruption.
This was the reality for families in the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District over the past two days when two school bus routes were briefly halted due to migrants attempting to board.
According to district officials, the incidents happened on two separate occasions along the district’s A and B school bus routes. The first incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when a group of three men, seemingly desperate, walked in the middle of Highway 94, trying to stop a Route A bus. The driver had to make a quick decision, maneuvering the bus around the group to avoid a confrontation.
Then, as if out of a strange déjà vu, the next morning saw another group—about 20 people—along the Route B bus stop.
The district sent out a message to families:
Earlier today I notified transportation families about two recent incidents involving our school buses on Highway 94. Both incidents involved people either trying to stop or board a bus at a bus stop.
First I want to say thank you to our bus drivers for keeping our students safe and to the parents who helped to ensure the bus was not boarded. Wehave been in contact with Border Patrol, the Sheriff’s Office, and CHP throughout the day. In addition, multiple news organizations and Representative Darrel Issa’s office have reached out.
We will continue to work with law enforcement on the matter. We have put additional protocols in place and notified parents of bus riders. This afternoon, our Director of Transportation followed the buses to ensure everyone got home safely. I am thankful to our community for keeping their eyes open and being a part of the solution
As students were being picked up, concerned parents stepped in to ensure that only their children got on board. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the quick actions of the bus drivers and parents kept the situation under control.
It’s still unclear whether these two groups were connected or if they were isolated incidents of individuals just trying to find a way across the border.
For now, families are understandably on high alert, but district officials and parents are working together to ensure that the kids’ safety remains a top priority.