Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Protections Immigration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Benicia Unified superintendent reaffirms district policies to protect students; public speakers urge clearer immigrant‑safe language
Summary
Superintendent Christopher Wright outlined district policies prohibiting staff from requesting immigration paperwork and described protocols if federal agents seek campus access. Public commenters — including local immigrant parents and advocates — thanked the superintendent and urged clearer, simpler messaging and assurances to families.
Superintendent Christopher Wright used his board report Thursday to reaffirm Benicia Unified School District’s stated commitment to inclusion and to outline how the district will respond to immigration‑related inquiries.
Wright cited the district’s adopted vision, mission and equity statement and said the district has policy and regulation in place that prohibit staff from requesting or collecting a student’s immigration status. “BUSD is an inclusive environment that welcomes and serves all,” Wright said. He said district staff are instructed to refer any immigration‑related inquiries or federal agents to the superintendent’s office, to consult the district’s legal counsel, and to work with local law enforcement to clarify jurisdiction. He referred to a section of district policy (identified in the meeting as policy 51 45.13) and told the public the district has not encountered federal campus entry requests to date.
Wright also said the California Department of Education and state leaders are challenging some recent federal actions in court and affirmed the district will seek to preserve federal funding streams such as Universal Meals, Title I and IDEA.
Several public speakers — including parents who identified themselves as immigrants and community advocates — thanked the superintendent and asked the board to refine the district’s FAQ and web material to make it more accessible and explicitly reassuring. One commenter who works with immigrant families said the FAQ’s language asking to “collaborate with law enforcement” could unintentionally alarm families and suggested that wording be reviewed by trusted community partners. Another speaker, who said English is her second language, praised the FAQ’s step‑by‑step scenarios but urged the district to present an even simpler, welcoming message (“All is for all. We will protect you”), and to ensure translations and outreach reach families who may not use email or whose participation could expose them to risk.
Wright said the district has posted resources and an FAQ on its website and will update materials as developments arise. He urged staff to minimize disruptions by following board policies and the LCAP focus on social‑emotional wellness and equity.
