Parents and students press Torrance Unified for stronger protections after ICE detention of 9-year-old

Several students, parents and community advocates used the board's public-comment period Monday to urge Torrance Unified to adopt stronger protections for immigrant students after the detention and deportation of a 9-year-old child identified in public remarks as Martier Garcia.

Shine Zia Cornwall, a 17-year-old student, told the board students felt unsupported and recommended that the district "create policies or implement changes to keep students safe," including making Torrance a sanctuary school district and distributing "know your rights" information. "We as students do not feel supported," Cornwall said, adding that students reported teachers and staff did not address the incident when school was in session.

Several speakers echoed the call for more explicit district direction. Arohi Sharma said parents and students need "more clarity, more action, and more accountability" and asked what the district is doing to "quell the nerves of our students and families from additional detention efforts." An online speaker identified as Nikki asked the district to be more vocal and proactive, citing Los Angeles Unified's response as a model.

Board members said they would take public input under advisement but could not provide immediate responses during the meeting because of Brown Act restrictions. Trustees and staff reiterated that district policies limit disclosure of student records and that interactions with federal agencies are governed by law; several trustees affirmed that schools should be safe places and highlighted existing policies intended to protect student privacy.

District staff did not announce immediate policy changes at the meeting; speakers asked the board to consider staff training on trauma-informed care, clearer guidance for site staff on responding to federal officers, and formal resolutions or administrative policies to reassure families.