Cabrillo USD adopts updated immigration-support policies, expands family resources
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Summary
The Cabrillo Unified School District board approved mandated immigration-related policy updates aligning with state guidance and committed to family-facing resources, staff training, and limits on campus enforcement access; board and public emphasized culturally sensitive outreach to Spanish-speaking families.
The Cabrillo Unified School District governing board on March 1 approved required revisions to the district’s immigration-related policies to reflect recent California law and guidance from the attorney general, district officials said.
District director of educational support services James Barnes presented an Immigrant Support Plan that the district said centers on keeping campuses non-enforcement spaces, requiring valid legal authorization (generally a judicial warrant) for access, protecting student and family information under FERPA and state law, and training staff on response protocols. Barnes said the district has posted a family guide and a school-official quick-reference on the district website in English and Spanish and has distributed “know your rights” cards to every site.
The plan also addresses new state rules on student political activity: middle- and high-school students who notify the school in advance may receive an excused absence for walkouts or civic events. Board members asked for legal clarity about whether notification must come from a parent or a student; district staff said state Ed Code provides student-notification language and that they would confirm and update materials if needed.
Public commenters praised the plan but urged the board to publish a clear statement of support for immigrant families and to build community networks—food distribution, remote-learning options and safe spaces—before they are needed. Christine Walker asked the district to form a committee to coordinate those supports.
Board members and staff stressed distributing materials through multiple channels beyond the website, including ParentSquare, community liaisons, hard-copy flyers for families with limited phone or internet access, and translated communications. The board approved the policy updates on a roll-call vote; staff noted the California Department of Education submission deadline of March 1, 2026.
What’s next: District staff said they will circulate a soft letter summarizing the presentation and post the full materials online in Spanish and English, refine guidance on walkout notification language, and continue outreach through community liaisons.
