SMMUSD is responding after the Trump administration paved the way to enforce immigration laws in and near schools.Posted Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 12:12 pm PTSANTA MONICA, CA — As the Trump administration paves the way for immigration enforcement near or in schools, Santa Monica's public schools remain "safe zones" for students, regardless of their immigration status, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Antonio Shelton said this week.The Department of Homeland Security last week revers...
SMMUSD is responding after the Trump administration paved the way to enforce immigration laws in and near schools.
Posted Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 12:12 pm PT
SANTA MONICA, CA — As the Trump administration paves the way for immigration enforcement near or in schools, Santa Monica's public schools remain "safe zones" for students, regardless of their immigration status, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Antonio Shelton said this week.
The Department of Homeland Security last week reversed a 2011 policy that prohibited immigration authorities from detaining immigrants near locations like schools, child care centers, playgrounds, hospitals and churches — so-called "sensitive locations."
"We understand the concern and fear felt by our families and communities regarding the new administration’s action to overturn the sensitive locations policy that includes schools. I share these concerns, and I am deeply disappointed in this decision," Shelton wrote in a message to the school community.
"Our schools are mandated to ensure that no student is denied enrollment or faced with barriers to their educational opportunities based on their or their family’s immigration status. Our schools serve as safe havens for our students and families and will continue to do so," he continued.
Under state law, school officials are not required to allow immigration agents to enter schools without a warrant issued by a judge and state officials have reiterated that all students have a right to a free education, regardless of their or their family's immigration status.
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"A lawfully executed court order is required for access," Shelton wrote.
Shelton and the school board "reaffirm our belief that all school-aged students should have access to an excellent education and the opportunities that education provides regardless of their immigration status or the immigration status of their parents," he wrote.
The board in 2016 passed a resolution that designated SMMUSD campuses "safe zones." Shelton said the board plans to reaffirm that with a new resolution up for discussion at the Feb. 6 board meeting.
The past resolution, as well as additional information, is available on a dedicated immigration information page on the SMMUSD website.
"We want to remind all families and staff that we do not collect any documentation about citizenship or social security numbers at any time during the enrollment process. We are extremely protective of your data and fully abide by data privacy regulations. This is extremely important to us and critical in our daily work," Shelton wrote.
The superintendent encouraged families facing immigration issues to visit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center for help navigating these issues.