TUSD public commenters press board for concrete protections against immigration enforcement

Hundreds of residents and students told the Tucson Unified School District governing board on Jan. 27 that they fear federal immigration enforcement is making campuses unsafe and asked the district to take immediate, concrete steps.

Speakers at the meeting’s call to the audience pressed the board to provide clearer communications and rapid‑response plans. Gina Santos, a district speech therapist and parent, said students’ artwork and essays show widespread fear and called for an explanation of how the district’s response this week will differ from prior statements. “What is different?” she asked, repeating a call for transparency and concrete change.

Parents and teachers asked the board to resend Superintendent Trujillo’s earlier letter about enforcement, provide multilingual “know your rights” cards to every family, and train front‑office staff to recognize valid judicial warrants. Marlene Avellino urged the district to treat the situation with urgency and said she had seen videos of children being taken in other cities.

Educators at the meeting asked for additional staff training and structures. Victoria Bodani, a Pueblo High School teacher, asked the board to post signs at school gates stating that law‑enforcement officials may not enter without a lawful warrant and to give staff training so they can identify valid warrants and better protect students.

Students also testified about recent on‑campus events they said produced fear. Dennis Ayala, a Rincon High School senior and president of his school’s Latino Student Union, said a recent appearance by Turning Point USA and the behavior of a classroom teacher left some students anxious and said the response from adults made them feel unsafe. Ayala called on the board to reassess policies allowing outside political groups on campus and to hold staff accountable when their actions put students at risk.

Board members acknowledged the comments, apologized for harms described and directed staff to act. The board president thanked speakers for attending, and several members — including Miss Ekstrom and Miss Shaw — asked administration to review specific incidents at Rincon and the unenrollment problems at the district’s self‑paced program. The board asked staff to deliver know‑your‑rights cards in families’ home languages and to form a community task force to draft staff trainings and site protocols.

The board limited follow‑up remarks to two members per topic; multiple members asked staff to move quickly. Board members who spoke said they want district guidance materials, training and assurances that schools will have clear procedures for staff and students if enforcement activity occurs near a campus.

Next steps the board listed at the meeting: staff review of the Rincon incident and guests on campus; a districtwide review of unenrollment rules for self‑paced students; distribution of multilingual know‑your‑rights resources; and formation of a community task force to develop training and emergency planning. The board did not vote on policy changes at the meeting.