The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District affirms support for local and federal immigration officers, drawing protests from families and advocates.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Board of Education passed a motion last Tuesday showing support for law enforcement that works with the district to ensure student safety.
The motion, brought forward by Trustee Tricia Quintero, additionally affirms support for immigration enforcement who “carries out their duties professionally and lawfully.”
Board members initially attempted to pass a resolution expressing support towards law enforcement, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, last Tuesday.
The original motion proposed by Leandra Blades stated that the schools would work in partnership not only with local and state officials, but also federal agents.
The wording used in the motion targeted content-based speech, claiming that “harassment, misinformation, or fear-based narratives directed at law enforcement personnel undermine public trust and compromise community stability.”
It also used a paragraph from their immigration enforcement handling policy, which they unanimously passed in that same evening, to show support for federal agents.
“BE IT RESOLVED, that the Placentia-Yorba Linda Board of Education affirms its support for local law enforcement officers and federal immigration officers who carry out their duties professionally and lawfully,” reads the resolution.
According to Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Board Policy 1445, “district staff shall not obstruct, interfere with, or otherwise impede an officer or employee of an agency conducting immigration enforcement who nevertheless enters district-provided transportation, a nonpublic area of any district property or facility, or a nonpublic area where any district-sponsored program or activity is occurring.”
In the policy of origin, that paragraph comes after stating that district staff shall not grant permission for an officer to enter school property without a valid judicial subpoena, judicial warrant or court order.
The following statement clarifies that if an officer does so, regardless if they have permission, an employee cannot obstruct so that the situation is not escalated.
The last two paragraphs of the motion aimed to condemn “political activism” in school, “fear-mongering” and “politicization of public safety issues.”
The controversy brought over a large number of families, community members and over 50 public speakers who opposed the motion. Audience members sitting inside the chamber and outside held signs in protest of ICE, and against the school board trustee who brought forward the proposal.
“Just about everything this administration is doing with regards to immigration system and enforcement is in direct violation of our law,” said Bethany Anderson, the executive director of Solidarity and Camino Immigration Services, during the public comments. “When an elected official tries to advance a policy that violates the law and erodes the safety of students, accountability is not optional. Ms. Blades, if you cannot uphold your duty to protect all students and follow the law, you should resign immediately.”
