Immigration enforcement actions by Trump escalate anxieties among LA school community as a new academic year begins
Immigration Enforcement Near Los Angeles Schools Sparks Response from School District
During the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, immigration enforcement activities near schools in Los Angeles created a climate of fear and uncertainty among immigrant families. This, in turn, negatively affected student attendance and well-being.
In response, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) implemented several protective measures to support students and families. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho noted that "hungry children, children in fear, cannot learn well," and spoke out against enforcement activities near schools.
LAUSD urged immigration authorities not to conduct enforcement within a two-block radius around schools starting an hour before school begins until an hour after dismissal. The district took proactive steps, such as:
- Distributing family preparedness packets with know-your-rights information, emergency contact updates, and guidance on designating backup caregivers if parents are detained.
- Altering or adding bus routes to better accommodate students who might otherwise struggle to attend due to fears or disruptions.
- Deploying 1,000 district workers on the first day to critical areas that had experienced enforcement raids.
- Partnering with local law enforcement and increasing school police presence to create safe spaces for students regardless of immigration status.
- Community volunteer patrols near schools to monitor and alert families regarding enforcement activity and provide reassurance.
Despite federal policy that schools were not off limits for immigration enforcement, LAUSD’s measures sought to protect students' access to education and provide resources and safety nets for immigrant families affected by the enforcement surge.
This year, virtual enrollment in the LAUSD has increased by 7% due to some families opting for online learning instead of in-person attendance. However, Superintendent Carvalho wants no one to stay home due to fears related to immigration raids.
The LAUSD covers more than two dozen cities and is the nation's second largest district with over 500,000 students. Approximately 30,000 students in the district are immigrants, and an estimated quarter of them are without legal status. Immigration raids have taken place near schools in areas with many immigrant families from Central America.
Despite the apprehension, students and teachers are returning to class for the new academic year. Madelyn, a student and advocate for immigrant rights, intends to continue supporting immigrant students and persevere in her work, despite her fears of being targeted on public transportation due to her skin color.
References:
- LAUSD and LAPD to form rapid response network to combat immigration raids near schools
- LAUSD's new plan to protect undocumented students from immigration raids
- LAUSD to partner with local police to create safe spaces for students regardless of immigration status
- LAUSD's superintendent speaks out against immigration enforcement near schools
- 15-year-old handcuffed outside Arleta High School due to mistaken identity
In the wake of immigration enforcement activities near schools in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) collaborated with local law enforcement to create safe spaces for students, regardless of their immigration status, as part of its protective measures. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho advocated for educational opportunities, stating, "hungry children, children in fear, cannot learn well." On the other hand, the district's educational and self-development department recognized the importance of politics in shaping their students' futures, paying close attention to general news and current events that might impact their students and families.
