SAN FRANCISCO, CA —San Francisco school board members this week unanimously approved a policy strengthening the district's protections and support for undocumented students.
The resolution, approved at Tuesday's San Francisco Unified School District board meeting, was the result of a student-led initiative and inspired by a sharp increase in deportations occurring under the current administration.
"We are at a time when we have to do everything possible to protect our students," Board President Shamann Walton said in a statement today. "We are a sanctuary city and district and we fight for all students and families regardless of status and ensuring that all levels of government cannot attack or intimidate our students is a part of what I consider my obligation in this role."
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The district has long had a policy of not inquiring about a student's immigration status and not sharing information with federal immigration authorities.
The policy approved Tuesday reinforces existing policy requiring any request from law enforcement or immigration agencies other than local police to access students' records, lands or buildings to be immediately
referred to the superintendent and district legal office.
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In addition, it calls for the creation of a central resource to help undocumented students and their families access academic supports and community services, as well as the provision of immigrant and refugee
liaisons at each middle and high school.
It also requires specialized training for counseling staff in helping undocumented students, bullying prevention and intervention programs for immigrant students, information to all students about the role of
immigrants in history and economics and the expansion of community partnerships to provide legal assistance to students and their families.
— Bay City News; Image via Shutterstock
