SFUSD board adopts resolution urging halt to deportation of Dream Act‑eligible student Shing Ma (Steve) Lee

The San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education voted on Nov. 9, 2010 to adopt a resolution denouncing the detention and deportation of Shing Ma (Steve) Lee, a Dream Act‑eligible student at City College of San Francisco, and called on federal authorities to halt deportations of Dream Act‑eligible youth.

President Kim read the resolution in full, which described Lee as a City College junior who entered the United States with his family around age 12, was ordered removed when he was a minor and has since been detained under an ICE fugitive‑operations program. The resolution called for deferred action to be granted and for Lee to be released to return to his family in San Francisco while Congress considers the Dream Act. It also urged members of Congress to press for a legislative solution and requested that federal representatives consider individual relief for Lee.

Members of the public including Sang Chi (a City College faculty member) and several students who know Lee urged the board to adopt the resolution. Sang Chi described Lee as "energetic, bright, and promising" and said Lee planned to study nursing and return to serve Bay Area communities. Student speakers said Lee would be homeless if sent to Peru and asked the board to support the resolution and advocate for his release.

The resolution text cites the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (the Dream Act) and asks that deportations of Dream Act‑eligible youth be halted and that the district's congressional delegation act on his behalf. After public comment, the board voted by roll call to adopt the resolution; the clerk recorded six ayes.

The resolution will be sent to congressional representatives and other parties referenced in the text. The board did not announce any further district‑level policy actions at the meeting beyond passage of the resolution.