(UNION CITY, CA.) – On May 19, the New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) Board of Trustees passed a resolution that declared the district and its sites as a safe haven for all students, staff, and their families.
Being a safe haven is synonymous with being a sanctuary district, which is a district that has both a commitment and policies in place to protect its students in the face of immigration enforcement and other threats that can surround the topic of immigration status.
NHUSD’s declaration also provided protections for the information of students, staff, and their families, as well as training for the district’s staff.
These protections include district personnel not inquiring about a student's immigration status and not requiring documentation of legal status, and protecting information outside of “status” documents that could aid immigration enforcement, such as emergency contacts and addresses.
Photo Credit: simbli.eboardsolutions.com
Additionally, the declaration states that the school will create an easily accessible, multi-lingual website with safety protocols, resources, and contact points for families.
The existence and passing of this declaration is great news to the students of James Logan High School (JLHS) who have been advocating for this since at least February.
Among the most prominent of these advocates were members of the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice academy, some of whom spoke on this matter during the in-school protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) on Feb. 6.
Considering that most of the students of JLHS belong to minority groups, many parents and students are very concerned about or frightened by I.C.E. activity and arrests.
Photo Credit: U.S. News & World Report
This was especially true around February, when I.C.E. activity and arrests were highly visible and increasing in frequency.
Many cities, including Portland, OR., are still fighting against the construction or operation of ICE facilities in their area.
In continuation of their fight for NHUSD to become a safe haven, multiple members of ESSJ showed up at a Board meeting on May 5.
One speaker, JLHS Student Diego Zaval, mentioned this high level of fear in the community when he spoke at the podium.
"Parents fear for their children, making them stay at home for their own protection. Wouldn't you be scared [for] your child's safety? They [could] be taken by I.C.E. at any minute. Having a sanctuary district protects [these] families.”
Even more members of ESSJ attended the Board meeting on May 19 to further express the importance of NHUSD becoming a safe haven.
Also expressing extreme support for this was JLHS Rasa Studies and LGBTQ+ Studies Teacher Marisa Villegas.
"This community is made up of families and children from all over the world who should not have to worry about their safety while in school, one of the most sacred places to be. As members of the educational community, it is our collective responsibility to protect all of our students and to uphold their rights as members of our community."
Before the voting on this matter commenced, President of the Board Shamsa Rafay expressed her extreme support for NHUSD becoming a safe haven.
“Student safety is a priority for each and every member who's sitting at this desk. So it [is] very important that not only does this pass, but it needs to pass unanimously.”
Photo Credit: YouTube / NHUSD Board
Just as Rafay urged, the vote to approve this resolution was unanimous.
To add or correct any information in this report, please contact me at madison.v@lead4earth.org.
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