Students and community groups press Vancouver schools for protections after ICE activity, list concrete demands
Summary
Student organizers and community groups told the board that large student walkouts protested recent ICE enforcement; they urged the district to adopt policies such as excused absence extensions, "know your rights" trainings, strengthened hate-and-bias protocols, alerts when enforcement is near school grounds, and increased campus security.
Student organizers and community advocates used the public-comment period to press Vancouver Public Schools to take immediate steps to protect immigrant students after recent immigration-enforcement activity.
An unnamed student speaker said there were "huge student walkouts" across Evergreen and Vancouver districts and proposed actions including classroom instruction about rights when confronted by ICE agents, and expanded campus security for students who leave campus at lunch or between classes.
A community member read a list of demands compiled during student demonstrations: automatic extensions for excused absences for students affected by immigration enforcement; permission to host "know your rights" trainings in district buildings; stronger hate-and-bias protocols with clearer disciplinary and preventative responses; proactive alerts to parents and students when immigration enforcement is operating near school properties; and increased security focus and budgeting that accounts for students who leave campus during the day.
Jacidia Marino, a VSAA student and walkout organizer, said more than 900 students attended protests and asked the board to "stand wholeheartedly with its immigrant, refugee, and Latino communities" by considering the listed demands and moving beyond short emails or resource lists.
An official from Southwest Washington LULAC reiterated community concerns about local immigration-enforcement actions, called for independent investigations and greater transparency, and urged local elected leaders and partners to condemn excessive force and act before a tragedy.
Board members did not answer questions during public comment; the chair said staff would follow up after the meeting.
