Introduction to the Issue
The L.A. teachers union and its allies held a rally Saturday calling on the school district to more aggressively fight for immigrant families, including by demanding that the federal government return all detained and deported students to Los Angeles. School district officials — in both a statement and at the rally — downplayed the union’s confrontational tone and said they are united, along with various constituent groups, in supporting immigrant families.
The Rally and Its Demands
The Saturday rally was held outside school district headquarters and included a march through downtown. It drew about 500 raucous participants, many of them wearing the bright red shirts associated with United Teachers Los Angeles, which represents about 38,000 teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses and librarians. “Education not deportation,” they chanted. And: “Say it loud! Say it clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” Speakers at the rally included rising senior Vanessa Guerrero, who attends the nearby Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. She spoke about a classmate who was seized and deported.
Personal Stories and Fears
“She was going to be a senior this year,” Vanessa said. “She’s known for coming to school every day, working hard, and she was an honors student. She did contribute to the community of the school. And was a great person.” Her classmate and the girl’s mother were seized when they attended an immigration appointment, said Vanessa and others. “Honestly, everybody is terrified,” Vanessa said.
Union Demands and District Response
The union called for a directly confrontational approach with the Trump administration — including involvement in litigation to protect immigrant rights. The school system is not currently involved in litigation with the Trump administration, officials said, although district leaders have strongly criticized its actions. Specific union demands include establishing a two-block perimeter around schools where immigration agents would not be allowed. It’s not clear that district officials or staff would have jurisdiction beyond school grounds. Kindergarten teacher Esther Calderon joins hundreds of other educators in a Saturday rally calling for better protections and support for immigrant students and families. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Detailed Demands for Protection and Support
The union also called for a “formal campaign” that would work with families to update emergency cards and add additional trusted adults to the list of a family’s contacts, in case, for example, a student’s parents are detained. L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho has said outreach for this purpose is ongoing. The union also is calling for counselors to be paid to return to work prior to the first day of school to make sure families affected or potentially affected by immigration enforcement are willing and prepared to have their children return to school.
Impact on Students and Families
It’s not clear how many students or family members of students have been taken into custody or deported. The school district does not collect information on immigration status. A few cases have become high profile and widely reported on. In other instances, however, both district policy and privacy protections limit what the school system discloses. Union leaders said they also want the district to provide food and personal care items “to undocumented families who are sheltering in place in their homes,” as well as provide a virtual learning option for students “who are afraid to attend school in person because of immigration raids.”
Pathway for Deported Students and Legal Support
And they called for the district to develop a “pathway” for students who have been deported to earn their LAUSD diplomas through virtual completion of all required high school units, and to be a “leader” in providing legal support for all those affected by the immigration raids — including school staff who stand up in defense of immigrants. The superintendent’s office had no immediate response to the specific demands, but school board President Scott Schmerelson said the district would consider any steps to protect and support families.
Conclusion
The rally and the union’s demands highlight the urgent need for the school district to take a more proactive role in protecting immigrant students and their families. The issue is complex, with both the union and the district expressing commitment to the cause but differing on the approach. The superintendent’s office and the school board will need to carefully consider the union’s demands and work towards finding solutions that balance the needs of all stakeholders involved. The situation underscores the challenges faced by immigrant communities in the current political climate and the importance of educational institutions in providing support and advocacy.
FAQs
- Q: What were the main demands of the L.A. teachers union during the rally?
A: The union demanded that the school district take a more aggressive stance in supporting immigrant families, including establishing a safe perimeter around schools, updating emergency contact information for families, and providing virtual learning options for students afraid to attend school due to immigration raids. - Q: How did the school district respond to the union’s demands?
A: The district emphasized its shared commitment to protecting immigrant students but downplayed the union’s confrontational tone, suggesting a more collaborative approach to addressing the issues. - Q: What is the current situation with immigration enforcement in the L.A. area under the Trump administration?
A: The situation is marked by fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities, with instances of students and their family members being detained or deported, highlighting the need for robust support and protection mechanisms. - Q: Are there any plans for the district to provide legal support to affected families and staff?
A: The union has called for the district to be a leader in providing legal support, but the district’s immediate response to this specific demand is pending. - Q: How does the issue affect the broader community beyond immigrant families?
A: The trauma and fear inflicted on immigrant communities can have a ripple effect, impacting the mental well-being of entire classrooms and the community at large, as emphasized by the union president.
