LAUSD Grapples with Immigration Fears as New School Year Kicks Off
LAUSD Grapples with Immigration Fears as New School Year Kicks Off
As the new academic year commences, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation’s second-largest, is confronting widespread fear and anxiety among students and families due to ongoing immigration enforcement actions. Despite reassurances from district officials, the specter of raids has notably impacted school attendance, particularly on the first day of classes.
Teachers like Jennifer Cortez from Brooklyn Avenue School are actively working to mitigate these fears, displaying signs proclaiming their schools as ‘safe spaces for immigrants.’ However, the palpable concern is evident, with many parents, such as Anna Bermudez, noting a significant drop in attendance compared to previous years, describing the situation as ‘horrible and heartbreaking.’
The district’s resolve to protect its students was underscored by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who affirmed that ‘Our schools are safe spaces, I guarantee it. No one will have entry into our schools without a judicial order.’ Carvalho has announced enhanced safety measures, expanded mental health resources, and free legal aid for affected families. He also confirmed a recent incident where a 15-year-old special needs student, Nathan Mejia, was briefly detained by federal agents outside Arleta High School, an event Carvalho condemned as ‘traumatizing’ and ‘cannot repeat itself.’ Mejia, a US citizen, was released after a bystander intervened, with authorities claiming ‘mistaken identity.’
In response to these heightened anxieties, LAUSD launched the ‘We Are One’ campaign, providing resources regardless of immigration status. Carvalho has also urged immigration authorities to refrain from enforcement activities within a two-block radius of schools during peak hours and has established a ‘rapid response’ network with local law enforcement to monitor federal agent presence. Teachers across the district echo the commitment to protect their students, emphasizing their role in ensuring every child receives the education they deserve without fear.
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