16 Mar Contra Costa School Districts Respond to Concerns Over Trump Immigration Policies

Kennedy High student Julissa Blandon, center, walks with others in a pro-immigrant rights march Sunday on 23rd Street in Richmond.

By Samantha Kennedy

When over 200 people, led by West Contra Costa Unified School District students and alumni, marched through the streets of Richmond in February, they sent a clear message of solidarity for their immigrant classmates and families, as fears over federal immigration enforcement continue to loom large in the East Bay.

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s executive orders on immigration, which have threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary cities and end birthright citizenship, some school districts across Contra Costa County have taken steps to ensure the safety and security of their immigrant students. The threat of increased deportations and the administration’s decision to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in schools has raised concerns in local communities. These districts are now bolstering their protections and offering resources to reassure families that their children will be safe.

Immigrants’ Rights in the Face of Increased ICE Enforcement: What You Need to Know

West Contra Costa Unified

Over 37% of those residing within WCCUSD’s boundaries, including in Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo and Hercules, were born outside of the country. Over half are Latino, according to census data. 

Interim Superintendent Kim Moses said at a Feb. 12 school board meeting outlining the district’s response to immigration enforcement that raids are unlikely. 

“Just to be crystal clear,” board member Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy asked at the meeting, “if an ICE agent walks into the school, says they need to enter our school, our protocol is they’re not allowed to enter unless they have a warrant and that warrant has been reviewed by the superintendent’s office and a legal team.” 

“That is correct,” said Moses.

Students have also shown up to support those who are affected. Just one week after Trump took office, Kennedy High alumna and UC Berkeley sophomore Ivonne Hernandez felt compelled to take action. She teamed up with another former Eagle and returned to their old school to engage current students in the “Immigrants Make America Great” march, held Feb. 2 in Richmond.

Moses said at the meeting that Michael Booker, the district’s safety consultant, had reached out to local police departments. 

“We understand that some members of our community are fearful of law enforcement due to their immigration status,” the Richmond Police Department said in a February statement. “We want them to know the Richmond Police Department is committed to upholding our Sanctuary City policies and state law.” 

That means, the department said, it will not question a person’s immigration status, does not participate in immigration raids, and does not detain individuals for civil immigration violations. 

San Pablo’s police department issued a similar statement. 

“I just want to make sure that we’re making it clear to our schools, our students, our staff that we have their backs no matter what comes from the Trump administration or anyone from the national level,” Gonzalez-Hoy said. 

The district’s website offers immigration resources for WCCUSD families in English and Spanish.

Pittsburg Unified

The Pittsburg Unified School District amended its Safe Haven resolution at the beginning of the year to include that no state or federal funding will go towards assisting in federal immigration enforcement.

The resolution was first passed in 2017 during Trump’s first term to declare its “unequivocal commitment that every School District site shall be a safe and welcoming place for all students.” 

PUSD, in collaboration with Stand Together Contra Costa, an organization that provides legal support and immigrant rights education, also hosted a free immigration clinic for community members earlier this year. 

The event was one of some that Superintendent Janet Schulze previously said the district would organize “to provide our community with access to resources and information regarding their legal rights.” 

In a statement, the Pittsburg Police Department said last month it does not participate in immigration raids, does not ask about immigration status, and does not arrest individuals based solely on federal immigration detainers. 

Pittsburg Unified also offers immigration resources online in English and Spanish for district families. 

Antioch Unified

The Antioch Unified School District unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to all students and their learning no matter their immigration status at its Jan. 29 board meeting. 

The resolution first passed in a 3-2 vote in 2017. 

The district has also offered guidance to its staff on responding to potential immigration raids. 

“We are committed to fostering safe learning environments, protecting student information, providing support and resources, and standing in solidarity with our students,” the district wrote in its guidance for school sites. 

In that guidance, school sites are told to go through a series of steps if an immigration agent shows up. 

Staff first notifies the principal. The principal must then notify the district office and verify the agent’s credentials and legal documents. The principal must again contact the district office, according to the guidance, to review the legal documents. 

“To the extent permitted by law,” the district says, “restrict sharing of student and parent/guardian immigration status with federal agencies or officials.”

Similar to Pittsburg, Antioch is not a sanctuary city like Richmond or El Cerrito. But California is a sanctuary state and already has limits on how resources at the state and local levels can be used in immigration enforcement. 

Dozens of Antioch residents marched days after the February protest in Richmond, with council member Tamisha Torres-Walker, who has called for Antioch to be a sanctuary city, showing up. 

The Antioch Police Department said in a February statement it does not participate in ICE raids, does not ask individuals about their immigration status for enforcement purposes, and does not detain individuals for civil immigration violations. 

The school district provides immigration resources in English and Spanish for Antioch Unified families online as well.

All Contra Costa County residents can also visit Stand Together Contra Costa, a no-cost program that provides rapid response support, legal support and immigrant rights education.