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Board adopts Safe Zone resolution protecting students and families from immigration‑enforcement disruptions
Summary
The Phoenix Union Governing Board adopted a Safe Zone resolution declaring district property a protected environment for students and directing staff to handle immigration‑enforcement requests under district policy and federal privacy law.
The Phoenix Union Governing Board adopted a Safe Zone resolution affirming that every child “regardless of immigration status” has the right to access K–12 public education within district boundaries and that immigration enforcement activities on or near school property can disrupt learning.
The resolution, adapted from a widely used template, declares Phoenix Union a “safe zone” where students may seek assistance and directs district staff to treat requests from immigration authorities with careful legal review. The adopted text directs that any request by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or state or local law enforcement acting on behalf of ICE, be referred immediately to the superintendent’s office or a designee to determine whether disclosure is required by law (for example, in response to a judicial warrant) and to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other legal limits on disclosure.
Trustees amended the proposed text during debate to add three commitments introduced by Board Member Francisco Rivera. The board accepted language that (1) clarifies that district law‑enforcement on campuses — including school resource officers (SROs) and school safety officers (SSOs) — are to follow district policy and regulation (the resolution cites governing board policy JIH and regulation JRR), (2) states that SROs/SSOs should not participate in or assist federal immigration enforcement actions nor inquire about the immigration or legal status of students or their family members while acting in the school setting, and (3) commits the district to work with local governments (for example, the City of Phoenix) and with partner feeder districts “when necessary” to protect students and families.
The resolution also says the district will not collect students’ immigration status as a data field and that district counselors are available for students. The board voted on the amended resolution by voice vote; the chair called for aye and the motion carried.
Ending: The resolution directs staff to apply the district’s policies and privacy rules when handling any requests from immigration authorities, to use an expedited legal review when requests arrive, and to provide families and staff with clear communications. The board asked staff to return implementation details and communications materials.
