Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety Immigration Gender topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tacoma school leaders outline protections for undocumented and transgender students after federal orders
Summary
District leaders and the school board said Washington law and district policies remain in place and staff will push ongoing communications after recent federal executive orders and a Homeland Security directive raised concerns about immigration enforcement and gender-identity protections.
Tacoma School District leaders told the board on Jan. 23 that the district will continue to serve every student and is publishing guidance for families and staff after recent federal executive orders and a related Department of Homeland Security directive prompted community concern.
Superintendent Josh Garcia told the Board of Directors the district has begun sending communications and will continue to distribute resources “that reaffirm two things”: the district’s commitment to serving every student who attends a Tacoma school, and the set of legal protections available under Washington state law.
The district called particular attention to guidance published by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) the same day, which staff described as an updated operating resource for administrators and families on handling immigration-related inquiries, student privacy and interactions with law enforcement. General counsel and district staff also noted a recent DHS directive that removed “sensitive areas” — a category that previously listed schools, churches and hospitals — from federal guidance describing areas where immigration enforcement is restricted.
Why it matters: board members and community commenters said the federal language has created fear among undocumented families and transgender students, and they asked the district to be explicit about practical protections at school sites. Staff and board members said state law still provides the legal framework that district employees must follow and that the district will continue to shield directory and other private information consistent with state rules.
District staff summarized several operational protections and practices now in place: parents may opt students out of directory information so the district will not disclose that data; the district will not provide home addresses or citizenship information to outside parties except when compelled by subpoena; Washington law continues to permit students to self-identify gender beyond a binary and schools retain processes for gender support plans; and there is ongoing coordination with the Tacoma Police Department to clarify responses if law enforcement appears on a campus.
Several board members emphasized the difference between changes in federal rhetoric and changes to state law. A district lawyer and board speakers repeatedly told the public the district’s obligations are defined by Washington statutes and that the district will review its own policies and revise them if language needs clarification.
Public comment underscored the urgency. Keith Michael Estrada said the district’s statements so far were “lacking” and urged the board to adopt explicit policies that would prohibit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Sofia Agderap, a PTA member and immigrant parent, said general statements were insufficient and asked the district to name specific supports, train staff in culturally sustaining responses and proactively reassure families that schools are safe places.
Superintendent Garcia and senior staff said the district cannot answer every media inquiry in real time but will produce ongoing communications, meet with school administrators to reaffirm processes for gender-care support plans, continue legislative engagement at the state level, and work with regional partners to refine operational guidance.
The district also said it is coordinating with regional education partners (including Puget Sound ESD) and will publish a new online resource titled Immigrant Students Rights and Resources under the district’s Supports page with translated materials and links to legal services.
Board and staff next steps: staff will continue a communications plan to notify families about legal protections and practical steps they may take (for example, opting out of directory information), consult with OSPI materials and state associations for legal interpretation, and keep the board updated as laws or state guidance change.
Ending: Board members repeatedly told the public they would continue to monitor developments from state and federal authorities and provide targeted information to families and staff as it becomes available.
