To protect its students, the Phoenix Union High School District has declared that immigration enforcement will not be conducted on its campuses. This announcement comes in the wake of a broader initiative to crackdown on illegal immigration by President Donald Trump who, following his second inauguration, has promised to initiate mass deportations, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed, with images of deportation flights, that these operations have started.
TODAY in Arizona, #DEAPHOENIXDiv, along with our Department of Justice partners, is assisting our DHS partners with their immigration efforts. @DHSgov @TheJusticeDept @HSIArizona @DEAHQ pic.twitter.com/H6G6yvZlnx
— DEAPhoenix (@DEAPHOENIXDiv) January 26, 2025
The Phoenix Union School District, which is responsible for the education of tens of thousands, including some undocumented students, is taking a stand. On Sunday, along with the broader community's response, which manifested in a significant protest in Phoenix, the school district underscored its commitment to be a refuge from federal immigration enforcement. Officials within the district announced the adoption of a "Safe Zone" resolution, pointedly citing the importance of maintaining an undisturbed environment conducive to learning for all students, irrespective of their immigration status.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the resolution stipulates that federal immigration agents and officers attempting to enforce immigration laws must adhere to Governing Board Policy JIH and Governing Board Regulation JR-R. This aligns with the commitment to securing a safe educational space for students, something that has been reiterated by the district's Superintendent, Thea Andrade, in a letter to parents. In it, the Superintendent promises the continuity of essential services to students including free meals and transportation. Furthermore, "Know your Rights" workshops are slated to be arranged to educate the community on legal requirements during interactions with government agencies concerning immigration status.
Governing board member Francisco Pastor-Rivera, relating to the urgency of the district's actions, said, "Given this, I want to continuously make sure that our schools remain a safe zone for our students and our families so I think the wording in this particular resolution is very, very, very, clear," in comments obtained by KJZZ. Additionally, Phoenix Union governing board president Ceyshe Napa emphasized that "Our students need to be on our campuses free of fear, regardless of the political climate that we find ourselves in or we find ourselves in the future."
