Phoenix Union says immigration enforcement won't happen on campuses

The Phoenix Union School District announced it won't be allowing immigration enforcement on its 24 campuses.

The district teaches tens of thousands of students, and some are undocumented.

Big picture view:

Following President Donald Trump's inauguration for a second term on Jan. 20, he is following through on his promise to begin mass deportations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Friday, Jan. 24, that "deportation flights have begun," releasing photos of people boarding military aircraft.

"President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences," she wrote on X.

Local perspective:

On Jan. 26, the DEA confirmed it's working with the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security on deportation efforts in the Phoenix area.

On that same day, a massive immigration enforcement protest took over a busy Phoenix intersection at 75th Avenue near McDowell Road.

What they're saying:

The Phoenix Union School District adopted a "Safe Zone" resolution that says, in part, "It is the right of every child, regardless of immigration status, to access a free public K-12 education and PXU welcomes and supports all students."

It says that federal immigration enforcement activity, by any means, harmfully disrupts its learning environment.

The resolution reads, in part, "Now, therefore, be it resolved that the U.S. Immigrations Enforcement Office (ICE), state or local law enforcement agencies, including SRO’s and SSO’s, acting on behalf of ICE, or agents or officers for any federal, state, or local agency attempting to enforce federal immigration laws, are to follow Governing Board Policy JIH and Governing Board Regulation JR-R, attached to and incorporated in this Resolution, to ensure PXU meets its duty to provide all students, regardless of immigration status, access to a free public K-12 education."

Phoenix Union's Superintendent, Thea Andrade, also sent a letter to parents.

It says, in part, "All students will continue to receive free meals, transportation for those who qualify, and all other educational services without interruption."

It also says information shared with the school will follow Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guidelines.

"PXU and SchoolMessenger never share the information you provide, and we follow the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act guidelines, which prohibit schools from sharing personally identifiable information without prior written parental consent," the letter read.

The district says "Know your Rights" workshops will be held soon.

"These workshops will provide detailed information about the legal requirements when someone is interacting with government agencies concerning their immigration status," the letter said.

It provided a link for immigration resources – click here.

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