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Students, teachers urge TUSD to adopt clearer protocols, trainings after ICE sightings near schools
Summary
Students and educators told the Tucson Unified School District governing board they fear immigration enforcement near bus stops and school areas and asked the district to develop age-appropriate trainings, clearer staff procedures and better communications; the board asked staff to draft expanded outreach and consider additional bus service for Pueblo High School.
Students, teachers and community members told the Tucson Unified School District governing board on March 10 that immigration-enforcement activity near schools is creating widespread fear and disrupting attendance.
"My name is Jessica Ramirez. I'm a senior at Pueblo High School," student Jessica Ramirez told the board, asking the district for "age-appropriate presentations" and resources so students know their rights and what to do if they encounter immigration authorities. Several Pueblo students said they rely on city buses to get to school and described seeing ICE agents at bus stops, calling that presence a major safety concern for families who use public transit.
The pleas were echoed by other student speakers. "Students are coming to school scared," said David Salvador, a Pueblo student and MEChA representative, urging the board to "take a public stance" that TUSD campuses are safe zones and that there is no cooperation with immigration enforcement on school grounds.
Several teachers and community members asked the board to act beyond statements. Science teacher Eliseo Gomez said educators have gathered signatures from district employees demanding a "clear and concise plan" for how schools should respond if immigration enforcement appears at a campus. He and others urged regular staff training, student 'know your rights' sessions, and partnerships with immigration lawyers or legal service providers to support families.
Board members acknowledged the concern and asked staff to expand communications and training. Trustee Ekstrom said the district should ensure the existing immigrant support task force incorporates the specific training and communication needs students described, including translation for parents. Trustee Romero asked staff to review transportation for Pueblo students and said he will request immediate bus routes for that campus.
Superintendent Dr. Trujillo said administrative staff have already provided training to site administrators clarifying expectations when law enforcement comes onto campus — including asking to see identification and warrants — and that informational cards in multiple languages had been distributed to schools. Trustees requested a more detailed, districtwide plan that can be shared with families and students.
The board did not take formal action or adopt new policy at the meeting; trustees directed staff to draft a more proactive communications and training program for board review and public comment ahead of the March 31 meeting.
The next step is for staff to return with a proposed timeline and materials for student and parent trainings and recommendations on whether additional transportation resources can be deployed for Pueblo and other affected schools.
