Los Angeles school officials have made it clear that they are prepared for the upcoming immigration crackdown promised by President-elect Donald Trump. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who himself came to the United States as an undocumented immigrant, shared the district’s plans to face the challenges ahead.
The district, the second-largest in the U.S., has already begun mandatory training for school staff on how to respond if federal immigration officers appear near schools. Additionally, they have prepared “know your rights” cards that will be distributed to students to help guide them on how to act if approached by immigration agents.
However, Carvalho emphasized that while LAUSD is doing its part, it can only do so much to alleviate the fear and anxiety among immigrant families in the district. “No child of any age should face that awful, disturbing condition,” Carvalho said at a press conference. “That is why we’ve created safe spaces in our schools for our students to come together.”
LAUSD’s Policy and Response
Since 2017, LAUSD has had a policy in place that prohibits voluntary cooperation with federal immigration enforcement actions. The school district has made it clear that it will not collect or share information regarding the immigration status of its students or their families. In fact, federal agents will be denied access to schools unless they provide proper judicial warrants. This policy was reaffirmed by the school board in November, officially designating LAUSD as a sanctuary district.
The situation has only become more urgent with the incoming Trump administration, which has promised to ramp up immigration enforcement, including mass deportations.
President-elect Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, has even suggested the involvement of the military in his immigration crackdown. This has led to increased anxiety among immigrant families, including those in LAUSD, where about 15% of students are English language learners, and approximately 13% of students speak Spanish as their first language.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, about 146,000 students enrolled in California public schools are undocumented. Furthermore, the National Center for Children in Poverty reports that nearly three million children in California have at least one undocumented parent.
The Impact on Immigrant Families
The fear and anxiety caused by these policies have been felt strongly in immigrant communities across Los Angeles. Evelyn Aleman, the founder of “Our Voice,” a parents’ group that advocates for LAUSD’s low-income and Spanish-speaking families, shared that immigrant families are living in constant fear of what could happen when Trump takes office. Even those who are legally in the U.S. are concerned that their status could be revoked, adding to the uncertainty in the community.
“Right now, there’s a lot of anxiety and fear in our communities,” Aleman said. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen, and it’s that uncertainty that makes everyone so nervous.”
The presence of immigration enforcement near schools has already had a negative impact. For instance, in 2017, when federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained a father after he dropped his daughter off at school, many immigrant families in the area stopped sending their children to class out of fear. Aleman noted that immigrant families often use text messages and social media to warn each other about the presence of ICE agents in their neighborhoods.
State Protections and Legal Responses
State officials in California are also stepping up to protect immigrant families. In December, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued guidelines for how school districts can comply with state laws that limit state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Bonta also published guidance this month for immigrant families on how to handle situations involving federal agents.
California lawmakers are also working on new bills to protect immigrant families further. One bill introduced in the state assembly last month would limit federal immigration agents’ access to schools. In contrast, another bill introduced in the state senate would create a “safe zone” around schools, prohibiting federal agents from operating within a one-mile radius of campuses.
Ana Mendoza, a senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, stated that these efforts are vital in providing real protections to immigrant students.
“Even though immigration enforcement happens in California, the federal government can’t just come in and ignore the guardrails, violate due process, and do what it wants,” Mendoza said. “The state can protect its citizens from federal government abuse, and individuals can also protect their rights.”
Conclusion: The Ongoing Battle for Immigrant Rights
As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, the uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement continues to grow, leaving families and communities on edge.
The actions of LAUSD, as well as the legal protections being implemented at the state level, offer hope and reassurance to immigrant families who may otherwise feel vulnerable.
The district’s continued commitment to creating safe spaces for students and its refusal to cooperate with federal enforcement actions are important steps in defending the rights of immigrant children. While the battle for immigrant rights is far from over, these efforts signal a strong resolve to protect the most vulnerable populations during uncertain times.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
Leave a Comment