For Immediate Release
Contact: Mariel Matze, [email protected], (510) 879-6208
ICE Raids Terrorize L.A. Communities — Students, Schools, and Colleges Must Be Defended
The immigration raids happening across Los Angeles are not just federal overreach; they are an act of terror against the very communities that fuel our schools, colleges, and way of life. Families are being torn apart, students are traumatized, and educators are left reeling. When they are under attack, our educational institutions are under attack.
Roughly 10% of Los Angeles County residents are undocumented — and all of them have the legal right to attend schools and colleges in California. Their presence enriches our campuses, and many of our educators, who are themselves immigrants or come from immigrant families, are living proof of the power of inclusion. These raids threaten to unravel all of that. Schools and colleges must remain safe, welcoming spaces — not places of fear, surveillance, or heartbreak.
This moment demands more than words of solidarity; it requires responsive, compassionate leadership like that of the governor and of the leaders in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Los Angeles Unified, for example, has expanded summer school access to reduce long commutes, offered virtual attendance options, and directed schools to create safety zones around campuses. We’re especially heartened to learn of Los Angeles Unified’s intent to protect 100 graduation ceremonies happening today and tomorrow across the city, so students are not robbed of the chance to celebrate their achievements and feel the pride and love of their families and educators.
We appreciate these initial actions to stand with immigrant and undocumented students and families in the aftermath of these raids, and we urge California leaders to go even further:
- Immediately expand legal, housing, and mental health resources for students and families impacted by immigration raids.
- Fund and enforce protections that keep ICE and other immigration agencies away from schools and colleges.
- Pass legislation that ensures the safety and permanence of all immigrant educators and school staff.
EdTrust-West earlier this year released an equity alert Standing Together: California’s Protections for Undocumented and Immigrant Students, which highlights immediate actions that state, local, and education leaders can take to ensure that immigrant and undocumented children, students, and their families are safe and supported to attend school, learn, and thrive. We will continue to fight for the dignity and safety of our communities because every student has the right to learn, dream, and live without fear.
Our team is available for further comment if needed. Please contact Mariel Matze at 510-879-6208.
About EdTrust-West: EdTrust-West is an evidence-driven advocacy organization committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in California’s education system. For over two decades, EdTrust-West has worked to improve racial equity in education by engaging diverse communities and increasing political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners will thrive. For more information, see edtrustwest.org.
