Statement regarding President Trump’s executive order to increase immigration enforcement

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Statement regarding President Trump’s executive order to increase immigration enforcement

Press Release

The San Francisco Unified School District is working with the City and County of San Francisco and community agencies to create a rapid response protocol to support children and families in the event that enforcement actions increase in or around schools.

“We are a community that believes—fundamentally—that each child and each person is the equal of every other. First and foremost, our priority is ensuring all students have access to a quality education in a safe and supportive environment. We put students' needs first, and we will protect them now,” says Interim Superintendent Myong Leigh.

“All children have the right to attend school regardless of the immigration status of the child or of the child's family members,” says Board President Shamann Walton.  “As described in our district policies, we will continue to uphold our commitment and support of San Francisco Unified schools as sanctuaries for all immigrant children.”

Leigh says that the district cannot predict at this time whether or not federal dollars may be withheld as a result of its sanctuary practices and that the district will pursue legal and political defenses against such proposals or actions. Almost all federal revenue received by the district is tied to specific programs, most notably free and reduced meals programs, preschool, and educational services for students with special needs and schools with high concentrations of low-income students.

In November 2016 Mayor Ed Lee and Interim Superintendent Leigh sent a letter to all SFUSD families reminding them that schools do not ask for students’ immigration status when they enroll and that if staff become aware of a student’s immigration status, they are directed to not share that information with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

 

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Page updated on 01/26/17

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