As the new school year approaches, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and Mayor Karen Bass are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of immigrant families. With increased immigration enforcement activities, the focus is on creating secure environments around schools. This initiative aims to alleviate fears and ensure all students have access to education without intimidation.
These measures involve the establishment of ‘safe zones’ near school campuses, monitored by both the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and community volunteers. These zones are designed to provide a secure route for students and families, safeguarding them from potential immigration-related incidents. The recent detention of a student near Arleta High School has amplified the urgency and importance of these protections.
This article will delve into the specifics of these protective measures, the collaborative efforts between LAUSD and city officials, and the resources available to support immigrant families during this sensitive time. Understanding these protections is crucial for both parents and students as they navigate the upcoming school year.
LAUSD’s Commitment to Protecting Immigrant Families
LAUSD is deeply committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has emphasized that the district is doubling down on efforts to protect students and families. Key to this is the creation and expansion of ‘safe zones’ around campuses, providing secure routes before and after school.
Carvalho stated,
‘There are no sidewalks for immigrants and separate sidewalks for everybody else. Everybody walks the same journey to school and everybody walks … back home.’
This underscores the district’s dedication to equality and safety for every student. To reinforce this commitment, LAUSD is deploying central and regional office staff across the school system to monitor and support these safe zones.
The district has also expanded the number of safe passage zones from 40 to over 100, targeting areas most affected by immigration enforcement. This proactive approach aims to create a visible and reliable safety net for students and their families.
City Officials Partnering for School Safety
Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials are working closely with LAUSD to reinforce school safety. While the specifics of the LAPD’s role remain somewhat vague, Bass has assured the community that the police department will share information as needed, emphasizing that neither the school police nor the LAPD will assist with immigration enforcement.
Bass explained,
‘The school police and the Los Angeles Police Department have a strong working relationship and will continue to share information as appropriate as needed. But neither police departments assist with immigration enforcement and have not for many, many years.’
Instead, community volunteers will serve as additional ‘eyes and ears’ on the streets to ensure the safety of students and families.
Mayors from South Gate, Huntington Park, Bell, West Hollywood, and Vernon are also participating, demonstrating a united front in support of LAUSD’s efforts. These collaborative actions send a clear message: the city is dedicated to protecting its students and families.
The Incident at Arleta High School
The urgency of these protective measures was underscored by a recent incident at Arleta High School. A 15-year-old student with disabilities was detained by federal agents just outside the school premises. Although the student was eventually released after family members and the school principal intervened, the event sparked outrage and highlighted the need for increased vigilance.
School board member Kelly Gonez, who represents Arleta High, condemned the incident, stating,
‘Such actions — violently detaining a child just outside a public school — are absolutely reprehensible and should have no place in our country.’
This incident has further galvanized efforts to ensure that such an event does not recur.
The presence of immigration agents near schools has raised fears among parents, teachers, and staff. Many are concerned that children whose parents lack legal status will be kept home, disrupting their education. This fear is precisely what LAUSD and city officials are trying to counteract with their protective measures.
Resources Available for Immigrant Families
LAUSD has several resources in place to support immigrant families during this challenging time. These include home visits and calls to over 10,000 families considered at risk of immigration enforcement or at risk of not attending school. The district is also distributing family preparedness packets in multiple languages, providing information on the rights of children and parents, as well as access to available resources.
Superintendent Carvalho emphasized the importance of these packets, noting that they contain
‘all the information in one single form, in a multitude of languages, explaining the rights of our children and their parents, but also providing easy access to the resources that we have available to all of them.’
LAUSD has also established a ‘compassion fund’ to provide general help, including legal assistance, to families in need.
In addition to students from immigrant families, LAUSD is also supporting its employees who may be facing legal status challenges. The district is working to ensure that these valued workers continue to have the support they need.
Adjustments to Transportation and Bus Routes
LAUSD is also making adjustments to its transportation system to better serve families during this period. Busing routes are being reassessed to ensure accessibility and safety for students. While the busing system primarily serves students with disabilities and those attending magnet programs, the district is considering expanding its reach to address safety concerns.
The buses themselves will be considered extensions of the campus environment, with federal agents not permitted to board them. This policy aims to reassure parents that their children are safe from immigration enforcement while in transit.
The district is also aware that the proximity of bus stops to students’ homes matters, as families can be exposed to immigration enforcement while traveling to and from these stops. Efforts are being made to mitigate these risks and ensure that transportation is as safe as possible.
Police Protocols and Communication
While local police are not legally allowed to interfere with federal law enforcement actions, authorities will alert parents along walking routes if agents are in the area. They will also trigger a communication chain to alert nearby campuses of raids, allowing schools to be locked down as necessary.
This protocol is intended to provide an early warning system, giving families and schools time to take appropriate action. The public commitment is designed to reassure families that school will be a safe place and that officials will do what they can to protect families on their way to and from campuses.
The LA Unified School Police Department, headquartered at Roybal Learning Center, is expected to play a crucial role in monitoring immigration enforcement and potentially confronting it. The department’s presence is intended to serve as a deterrent and to provide a rapid response capability should any incidents occur.
Conclusion: A United Front for Student Safety
In conclusion, LAUSD and city officials are demonstrating a united front in their commitment to protecting immigrant families as the new school year begins. By establishing safe zones, providing resources, and adjusting transportation protocols, they are working to ensure that all students have a safe and secure path to education.
Key takeaways from this initiative include the expansion of safe passage zones, the distribution of family preparedness packets, and the establishment of a compassion fund. These measures are intended to alleviate fears and provide practical support to families navigating the challenges of increased immigration enforcement.
The collaborative efforts between LAUSD, city officials, and community volunteers underscore the importance of working together to protect the most vulnerable members of society. As the school year unfolds, it is crucial that these measures are effectively implemented and that families continue to have access to the resources and support they need. The safety and well-being of students must remain a top priority, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
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