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Parents and activists press Hacienda La Puente board to sever ties with JRIC, raise worries about student data and immigration enforcement
Summary
Public commenters told the Hacienda La Puente board the district police are listed as partners of a regional fusion center (JRIC) and urged severing ties, arguing it risks warrantless access to student data and could undermine the district's sanctuary commitments.
Several public commenters at the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District meeting urged the board to investigate and sever any ties between district police and the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), saying such links could create pathways for federal immigration authorities to obtain student information without parental consent.
"When I saw our district police listed there, I was horrified," said community member Sam Brown, who told the board he filed a public records request to confirm whether the district police are JRIC partners and asked the board to "sever ties." Brown described recent immigration enforcement actions in the county and linked them to concerns about local agencies participating in multi-agency fusion centers.
Other commenters raised allegations ranging from a teacher's reported statements in support of ICE raids to claims that district police had mistreated community members. Manuel Maldonado called for disciplinary review of a teacher who, he said, told students she supported ICE operations. Jenny Lou and Lupita pushed back in different ways: Lou criticized some public critics as disruptive, while Lupita said she has documented incidents where she believes district police responses were inadequate and asked for follow-up.
Board members acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns. Trustees and staff encouraged use of public-records processes and pledged to investigate specific complaints. Mr. Rocher (administration) and others said staff would respond to records requests and follow established complaint procedures; no immediate administrative separation or policy change was announced at the meeting.
The public comments highlighted three distinct community demands: clarify whether district police participate in JRIC; explain what data-sharing agreements exist and whether parents were informed; and investigate specific allegations of misconduct or retaliation. The board did not vote on any policy change regarding JRIC at the meeting but received multiple requests to pursue records and review partnerships.
