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Board approves letter urging federal protections against immigration enforcement near schools
Summary
The Santa Maria-Bonita board approved a letter to the U.S. president and Department of Homeland Security asking federal policies to prohibit immigration enforcement activities on or near K–12 campuses to protect student attendance and wellbeing.
The Santa Maria-Bonita School District board voted to send a letter to the White House and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security asking that federal policy explicitly limit immigration enforcement activities on or near K–12 school campuses.
Superintendent Dr. McDuffie introduced the item and described the letter’s purpose: to request adoption and enforcement of policies that restrict immigration enforcement at or near schools, citing concerns that enforcement activity can foster fear, reduce attendance and undermine students’ ability to learn. The letter references federal "sensitive locations" guidance and frames schools as places where children should be able to attend without fear of detention or deportation.
A board member read the draft letter aloud during the meeting; trustees then moved, seconded and approved the board’s support and authorization to submit the letter to federal officials.
Why it matters: District leaders said immigration enforcement activity near schools can create anxiety and attendance barriers for immigrant families and their children. The letter formalizes the board’s request to federal authorities for protective policies.
What’s next: The district will transmit the approved letter to the White House and DHS as authorized by the board vote.
