Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigrant Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community demands stronger sanctuary protections, legal action after four students detained
Summary
More than a dozen public speakers — students, teachers, organizers and attorneys — urged DPSCD to make its sanctuary policy more robust, publicize a letter demanding release of four detained students, provide legal and transportation supports, and consider litigation and direct action; speakers criticized statements that the district should "fly under the radar."
A lengthy public-comment period at the Dec. 9 Detroit Public Schools Community District board meeting centered on four district students detained by federal immigration authorities. Organizers, parents, students and teachers urged immediate and public steps to secure students' release and to protect other immigrant students.
Lindsey Matson of 4824 and the People's Assembly told the board the detained students — identified in public comments as Anthony, Curley, Moore and Santiago — are asylum seekers and called for a public, demanding letter urging their release: "We want that letter to be public. We want it to be demanding the release of these students and their families," she said. Several speakers recounted students' experiences, described trauma in classrooms, and asked the district to release a public statement and share practical supports: legal hotlines, safe transportation, 'know your rights' cards and mandatory staff training.
Attorney George Washington described the pattern of stops and rapid transfers to Texas detention facilities and framed the practice as systematic: "What the government is doing is arresting people and putting them on planes immediately so that people like me all over this country don't file suits," he said. Teachers and school staff reported students' fear, missing classmates and calls for an on‑retainer immigration attorney for the district. Teachers asked the board to ensure consistent training for staff on sanctuary policy implementation and to make emergency communication (schoolwide notices, robocalls) when immigration officials are present.
Many speakers pressed for action beyond a letter: calls included publicizing the district's sanctuary stance to families and staff, immediate legal representation for families, safe/alternative transportation options, expansion of mental-health supports, and consideration of lawsuits or direct action. Several community organizations in the audience offered to partner on rapid-response measures and legal aid.
Board response and next steps: the superintendent acknowledged the detentions and said the district would submit a letter and continue to work with community organizations to support families. Public speakers said a letter is necessary but not sufficient and pressed the board for clear, public timelines for legal and operational steps.
Representative quotes: "We want that letter to be public. We want it to be demanding the release of these students and their families," said Lindsey Matson. George Washington said: "This is kidnapping on an industrial scale." Several teachers urged more public communication and rapid legal support.
