State Bill Aims to Keep Immigration Enforcement Off School Campuses

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has announced new legislation aimed at barring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from school campuses. The proposed bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, seeks to ensure California schools remain safe spaces for all students, regardless of immigration status. The Supreme Court has long guaranteed the right to an education for students, regardless of their citizenship or legal status. However, during previous federal crackdowns on immigration, schools in heavily impacted areas experienced a drop in attendance and academic performance. A 2018 Stanford study found that Latino student attendance and achievement declined significantly in regions where deportation activity increased during the first Trump administration. Thurmond emphasized that the legislation is designed to prevent history from repeating itself. "When these kinds of threats get made, families often stop using essential services, including health care, social support, and even attending school," he explained. "Nothing good comes from that." Key components of the bill include prohibiting ICE agents from accessing campuses without a judicial warrant, preventing police cooperation with immigration enforcement within a one-mile radius of schools, and barring schools from sharing student or family information with immigration authorities. Local school districts, including Desert Sands Unified School District, have voiced support for the measure. DSUSD released a statement affirming its belief that schools should remain "safe havens for learning" and that all students must feel protected and supported while on campus. In addition to legislative action, Thurmond assured families that legal resources are available throughout California to address concerns. He also noted that state lawmakers are working on measures to expand these resources and protect vulnerable students. “Every family has the right to a great education for their children,” Thurmond said. “This legislation ensures that no student will have to choose between their safety and their future.”