Introduction to LAUSD’s Commitment
The Los Angeles Unified School District is taking measures to protect its students amid heightened concerns over President Donald Trump’s hard stance on immigration, the district’s superintendent assured in an interview with NBC4 on Monday.
Alberto Carvalho, LAUSD Superintendent, said its schools will deny entry to federal agents claiming to perform “wellness checks” on students unless they have proper documentation that cannot be declined.
Protection Measures
“A judicial warrant signed by a judge with the name of the individual, minor or not, within that warrant is what we require as evidence, justifiable evidence, to contact and access anyone in our schools,” Carvalho said. “Short of a warrant, you are treated as anyone else in our schools.”
Recent Incidents
The district made headlines earlier this month after Homeland Security Investigations officers visited two schools to conduct what the department said were “wellness checks.” Ultimately, they were denied entrance to the campuses.
Impact on Students
Carvalho noted that attendance was impacted at the two schools following the federal officers’ presence, likely due to fears from families who may have undocumented members. District-wide, however, there has not been a decline in student attendance, and he credits that to the district’s protective nature.
LAUSD’s Values and Protections
“Our board passed a number of resolutions affirming our values, declaring the legal protections from a civil but also a personal perspective, and also federal law and constitutional law that protect students and families in our schools,” he said.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks on the encounters. Mekahlo Medina report
Constitutional Protections
The superintendent said the district follows the U.S. Constitution to protect its students, despite their legal status.
“The equal protection clause declares that all students, regardless of immigration status, have a right to a free public education in any school across America,” he said. “Secondly, there’s a very important law in education called FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), a federal law that guarantees their privacy and confidentiality. That means we shall not provide any information about our students or their families to anyone. And thirdly, and this is the most important one, in loco parentis – which basically in Latin means in the absence of parents, myself, as superintendent, a teacher, a principal, need to act in a protective manner as if they were the parents of children.”
Dedication to Student Safety and Education
Carvalho affirmed the district’s dedication to educating its students and taking their safety seriously. He also assured LAUSD is a safe space for children where they can focus on learning and taking advantage of the resources the district has to offer.
“Schools are places where they get nutrition, education, and inspiration,” he said. “Schools should not be places of fear for our workforce or our students.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, LAUSD is committed to protecting its students and upholding their rights, regardless of their immigration status. The district’s measures to deny entry to federal agents without proper documentation and its adherence to the U.S. Constitution and federal laws demonstrate its dedication to providing a safe and supportive learning environment.
FAQs
- Q: What documentation is required for federal agents to enter LAUSD schools?
A: A judicial warrant signed by a judge with the name of the individual is required. - Q: How has the presence of federal officers affected student attendance?
A: Attendance was impacted at the two schools where officers visited, but district-wide attendance has not declined. - Q: What laws protect the rights of LAUSD students?
A: The equal protection clause, FERPA, and in loco parentis protect the rights of LAUSD students. - Q: What is LAUSD’s stance on providing information about students and their families?
A: LAUSD shall not provide any information about its students or their families to anyone, as guaranteed by FERPA.
