By Evelyn Lam
Staff Writer
In January, President Donald Trump granted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authority to arrest migrants in and near schools. NBC News reported that immigration authorities now make
nearly 1,200 arrests a day. Trump also issued an executive order to end birthright citizenship, attempting to revert the long-standing constitutional guarantee of citizenship to anyone born
in the United States.
These recent policy changes may be relevant to our community considering our demographic makeup. According to the U.S. Census, 49.3% of Temple City’s population was foreign-born between
2019 and 2023. This ranks us in the top ten cities in Los Angeles County with the largest increase in immigrant population since 1980.
Many residents may be concerned about their status, necessitating clarifications on immigrant rights and protections.
First, even with the executive orders, students maintain their right to equal education regardless of their immigration status under the Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe. In wake of the new policies, both California and the Los Angeles County Office of Education have reaffirmed that state law upholds protections for undocumented students.
“The change to the sensitive locations policy does not overrule the student’s constitutional right to an education,” LACOE Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo said in a public statement. “Our schools serve as safe havens for our students and families.”
LACOE provides free online resources and training sessions called “Know Your Educational Rights”. Students and families can find referrals to legal aid, safety plans and informational flyers on their website. TCUSD is also taking additional steps to support students.
“Our Board of Education policies are updated based on guidance from the California Administrative
Government and California School Board Association,” Director of Student Support and Engagement Daryl Topalian said. “TCUSD staff have been made aware of response procedures as a result
of changing legislation.”
There are also protections for students who are not directly impacted by the new policies but are facing increasing stigma and anti-immigrant sentiment. For example, the 2017 legislation AB 699 requires school boards to educate students on the impact of bullying based on immigration
status. The bill protects immigrant students from discrimination and prohibits schools
from gathering information about the documentation status of students and their family members. Additionally, it requires districts to adopt policies that prevent immigration enforcement from accessing the campus.
“Our policies on immigrant students’ rights have not changed since the passing of AB 699,” Topalian said. “School staff can support families by linking them with agencies that will address their needs. Many of these resources have been shared as part of our ongoing communication with families.”
Local advocacy organizations emphasize the importance of vigilance in the current climate. In the event of an encounter with ICE, experts advise people to remain silent, not sign any documents, ask for an attorney and not disclose any information that can be used in court. Witnesses and targets also
have the right to film the interaction.
To prepare for a potential encounter, immigrants and allies can print Red Cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center website. Red Cards are a list of personal rights. If faced with a language barrier or confusion on how to act, people can rely on the Red Card as a guide and a declaration of their rights to the immigration official.
Law enforcement and immigration authorities are not permitted to enter private areas without a valid judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. An ICE detainer form is not the same as a warrant, and ICE may use other documents to make it appear as if they have a valid warrant.
For more information or support, contact Mr. Topalian at dtopalian@tcusd.net or LACOE’s Immigrants Relations Coordinator at ruiz_fredy@lacoe.edu. You can also call the rapid response hotline at (888) 624-475 to report ICE activity and receive legal referrals.