Resources in light of recent immigration policy changes: SSDA remains committed to an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and security
The Small School Districts' Association (SSDA) affirms the principle that every student deserves a safe, secure, and focused educational environment on school campuses. Schools must remain places of learning, growth, and opportunity—not venues for political disruption or activities that create fear or uncertainty within our communities.
Recent news reports have raised concerns that could incite anxiety and disrupt the educational process on school campuses. SSDA firmly upholds the constitutional obligation to provide every child who walks through school doors with a free and appropriate education in a safe and protected space, regardless of background or status. We are committed to working with federal and state authorities, agencies, and our communities to uphold these values and to ensure that students and educators thrive in an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and security.
It is essential that schools remain free from activities or rhetoric that distract from their core mission or create unnecessary stress. SSDA will continue to advocate for the integrity of our campuses as safe spaces, focused on the well-being and success of every student.
Resources
Understanding that Californians may have questions about public programs, mixed immigration status within their families, or the impact of federal immigration policies on their daily lives, the websites below offer valuable resources to help address those concerns. These resources are designed for families as well as organizations that support immigrant communities, including schools, local governments, and community groups. The site will also provide updates to reflect changes in federal policies.
California Attorney General Office - Guidance & Model Policies to Assist California's K-12 Schools in Responding to Immigration Issues
A complete Guide for Students and Families is available in English and Spanish at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.
Additional languages will be available in the coming days
A complete Quick Reference for School Officials guide is available in English and Spanish at oag.ca.gov/immigrant/resources.
Additional languages will be available in the coming days
From Kevin Gordon, President, Capitol Advisors:
As a follow up to our email yesterday about the Trump Administration’s early Executive Orders, we wanted to report specifically on his action yesterday to rescind the policy that has prevented the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol agencies from conducting immigration raids in what have been considered “sensitive areas,” including schools, churches and hospitals.
The announcement of the Administration’s action is here. The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has provided a factsheet that contains information about the previous policy and the implications of the rescission for previously protected areas, including TK-12 schools. While you can read the entire factsheet here, below we excerpt some of the most important portions for your review.
We understand there is great concern and confusion about the implications of this rescission and the impacts on your students and families, and we want to emphasize that though the former protections were rescinded, federal immigration agencies have not yet indicated that they are preparing for coordinated activities at these locations. The new directive encourages any enforcement actions in these paces to take place using what they characterize as “common sense,” and we will have to wait to see how federal agencies interpret that. We are working closely with the Newsom Administration to get answers to your questions, and will keep you posted as new, concrete information emerges.
Key Points from NILC Memo