Public commenters urge Fallbrook board to reassure immigrant families and provide support

Several community members told trustees they are deeply worried about the safety and well‑being of immigrant families and asked the district for clearer communications and supports.

Leticia Maldonado Stample, a parent and community member, told the board children in the district are “extremely worried” and that some are physically ill from fear. "There are families in homes and apartments all over this building extremely worried about their children, their safety to the point of vomiting," she said, urging the board to explain what it plans to do to protect children and families.

A second speaker, Annabelle (Annabeth) Yala, identified as a committee member, asked the district to send a community communication to counter misinformation and to provide social‑emotional resources for affected students. She left a small informational card with rights that she said could be shared with potentially impacted families.

A trustee acknowledged the concerns and emphasized legal protections for students, saying, “Families should know that all children have a right to a public education regardless of status and that is law.” Board members generally expressed support for protecting students and directed staff to consider communication and support options, but the board did not adopt a formal policy or resolution at the meeting.

The public‑comment period included reminders about speaker rules and the Brown Act limits on board responses; no further action was recorded in the meeting minutes. District staff later indicated they would follow up on requests for communications and social‑emotional supports.