SBHS on HOLD due to ICE Activity

Ethan Maday, Staff Writer

February 20, 2026

A student looks for updates on 805 Rapid Response Network’s instagram. Photo by Ethan Maday

Ethan Maday

Santa Barbara Independent’s coverage on social media.

Check for Updates

Updated

Feb 20, 2026, 5:33 pm

ICE Confrontation at County Probation Office

Santa Barbara Independent’s footage from the encounter.

The Santa Barbara Independent published a breaking news story about the ICE encounter near the Santa Barbara High School campus. An anonymous employee of the County Probation office told the Independent that three to four ICE vehicles pulled in at around 11 a.m. A small crowd of protesters gathered, and one protester allegedly attempted to damage one of the ICE vehicle’s tires.

805 UndocuFund representatives stated ICE spotters and protesters had seen the vehicles driving from Ventura as they made their way to the Santa Barbara County Jail. Rapid Response and community immigration accounts shared images of a white Dodge Charger, a White Dodge Caravan, and a Silver Ford Expedition used by ICE on social media.

A bystander’s video at the probation office shows ICE agents allegedly violently arresting a 27-year-old nearby resident. They also depict an 80-year-old attorney being thrown to the ground and pepper-sprayed.

The County Probation office sits four blocks away from SBHS. Google says a county probation office manages individuals sentenced to probation or recently released from jail, and works to enforce court orders, rehabilitation, and public safety. Work includes regular check-ins with officers, drug testing, and connecting probationers with service-like employment, housing, and counseling.

Updated

Feb 20, 2026, 1:20 pm

A Parent Square message from Principal Ed Gomez at 1:05 p.m. explained more about the hold. “Late in the morning, agents detained someone one block from school campus.” The message goes on to explain the action was unrelated to the school.

As a precautionary measure, the school was placed on HOLD to ensure the safety of a students, who would have otherwise be released for lunch. The hold was released when ICE agents left the Eastside area.

The message goes on to offer support and a reminder that safety is the priority, asking parents to watch their students for signs of distress or need for mental health support, with councilors available for support.

Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) was put on hold due to nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, specifically at/near the Santa Barbara Police station. School alert systems on the “Crisis Go” app started at 11:29 a.m. and Parent Square messages started at 11:46 a.m., and the hold was released at 11:57 a.m. Third period will resume at 12:38 p.m.

805 Rapid Response Network’s instagram reported ICE activity today at 9:36AM near where Carrillo and Anacapa Street meet, five blocks from school. Four blocks from school, John Palminteri reported, at the “Santa Barbara Police have had Figueroa St. closed down in front of their headquarters. Some field units have been urgently called back to the area,” then later reported “There was an ICE incident, arrest and many members of the public involved by the probation department and police department. At least one member of the public was tackled to the ground. Another was in handcuffs.”

Students in the hallways where heard reacting to the shutdown, one saying “It’s crazy that the school has to lock it’s doors from federal agents. Like f***, man!”

This comes shortly after a wave of immigration protests, most recently to City Hall on Jan. 30.

This is a developing story.

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