Home California Torlakson Asks Federal Authorities to Clarify Policy on Immigration Actions Near Schools

Torlakson Asks Federal Authorities to Clarify Policy on Immigration Actions Near Schools

by ECT

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, as part of his efforts to ensure parents and students feel safe at schools regardless of their immigration status, today asked federal law enforcement authorities to explain if they are changing a policy that had avoided immigration actions near schools.

Torlakson wrote a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly and requested information if the agency is still following the “Sensitive Locations” guidance, which directs federal agents to generally avoid enforcement activities at schools, school bus stops, college and universities, and other education-related locations.

His letter was prompted by the need to inform school leaders in California, but also by his alarm at an action taken in late February by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who took Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, a 48-year-old father of four, into custody after he dropped off one of his daughters at Academia Avance public charter school in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

His 13-year-old daughter was in the car and videotaped the event as she cried, and the images and sounds gained viral attention. Federal authorities said he was arrested for past, nonviolent misdemeanor convictions and an immigration violation.

“I have consistently told students and their families that they must feel safe and protected at our schools, especially families who are refugees, Muslims, or undocumented immigrants,” Torlakson said. “Recent actions by federal law enforcement agents around schools have raised serious concerns.”

If the Sensitive Locations guidance is changing and will affect public schools, the California Department of Education (CDE) needs that information to communicate accurately with the state’s 6.2 million public school students and their families and more than 10,000 public schools, Torlakson said.

Source:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr17/yr17rel19.asp

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9 comments

Old Pittsburg/Antioch Hwy Border Mar 11, 2017 - 4:01 pm

Yes, enforcement for just immigration violation near schools (within campus viewing range) is wrong. But let us not be confused with arrests made for criminal behavior by a person who also is in the country without proper vetting or proper identification. We can not allow criminal behavior, not related to status, to be given protection.

Julio Mar 11, 2017 - 7:16 pm

That is right. The key word is illegal. It means against the law. Our laws must be enforced otherwise we become just another third world country.

Wen Ji Mar 12, 2017 - 8:33 am

Not all laws are just Julio.

Gary Mar 11, 2017 - 9:14 pm

Easy answer. If they entered the U.S. Illegally whether they are children or adults, deport them regardless of how long they have been here.

Wen Ji Mar 12, 2017 - 8:31 am

All you Europeans came here in this country illegally you joke of a man.

TFDEC Mar 13, 2017 - 9:10 am

Wrong Wen, everyone came to this country through a vetted immigration process. This is a matter of public safety, and we are a country with borders. Try going to some other countries illegally and you will be jailed or killed. It’s pretty simple and it’s our law. Follow it or face incarceration.

B-Wood Mar 13, 2017 - 9:15 am

Well said TFDEC!

Nick Mar 13, 2017 - 9:47 am

Europeans came here LEGALLY through Ellis Island. There were “provisions.” Employment prospects, good health, etc. If not, you faced deportation. Any Europeans who remained in this country followed the rules. Imagine that.

Wen Ji, you have NO IDEA what you’re talking about.

TFDEC Mar 14, 2017 - 9:37 am

Torlakson, it’s easy to clarify. FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW. Now get back to helping educate American children. It’s what we pay you to do.

Comments are closed.