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Pasquale Scuderi head shot
The new federal administration has pledged to be more strict about limiting immigration into this country and deporting those who are here without documentation. We know this may be causing anxiety among our immigrant families and students and those who support them, especially since the president has issued several directives this week regarding immigrants’ rights
 
I want to be very clear: AUSD is deeply committed to welcoming, accepting, and protecting all of our students and families, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. We also believe it is unlikely that immigration agents will visit our schools. To help calm anxieties, however, we want to help families understand the rights and protections that immigrant students have, as well as how AUSD will respond to immigration-related visits to our campuses.  While we don’t have all the answers about what the federal directives mean, we are committed to doing our best to give you accurate information.
 
What is staying the same
The most important thing to understand is that AUSD does not and will not collect information about students’ or families’ immigration or citizenship status. This is prohibited by state law and also by AUSD Board Policy.  Moreover, under federal law, we are not allowed to disclose confidential information, except in a few rare exceptions.
 
In addition, federal and state laws, in combination with AUSD policies still:
  • Protect the right of all children — regardless of citizenship, immigration status, or the immigration status of their parents — to attend school
  • Protect the right of all students to be free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and intimidation while at school
 
What is changing
Until this week, the federal government had designated schools as “protected areas” where US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions should not occur (except in certain rare situations). In a directive issued on Tuesday, however, President Trump lifted that protected status.
 
Our understanding is that ICE officials would still need to show significant reason to come school campuses looking for people (such as a threat to health or safety).  If ICE agents do come to a school:
  • Teachers and other staff will immediately notify a site administrator
  • Site administrators will immediately contact the District Office, where we will consult with legal counsel before addressing the immigration official’s requests
We have been told the state is preparing legal and legislative responses to the new directives. In the meantime, please be sure that your emergency contact cards include clear and current information identifying who a student can be released to if a parent is unavailable.  
 
I want to assure you that we will continue to update you as we get more guidance, and we will continue to do everything we can to provide safe, nurturing school environments for all students.