The United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union organized a substantial rally on Saturday, demanding that the Los Angeles school district take a more aggressive stance in support of immigrant families, particularly in light of recent arrests and deportations.
Approximately 500 participants gathered outside the district headquarters, many donned in the union’s signature red shirts, which represent around 38,000 educational professionals including teachers, counselors, and librarians.
Chants of “Education not deportation” and “Say it loud! Say it clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” resonated through downtown Los Angeles as speakers shared moving accounts of students affected by immigration enforcement.
Vanessa Guerrero, a rising senior from the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, shared the story of her classmate, an honors student, who had been deported. “She was going to be a senior this year,” Vanessa recounted, explaining that her classmate had been detained alongside her mother during an immigration appointment.
“Honestly, everybody is terrified,” she added, reflecting the widespread fear within the student community.
Union representatives are advocating for a confrontational approach towards the Trump administration, urging litigation to ensure immigrant rights are upheld. However, district officials stated that they have not engaged in any legal action against the federal government, despite expressing strong criticism of its policies.
Among the union’s specific demands is the establishment of a two-block buffer zone around schools, where immigration agents would be prohibited from entering. Questions remain about the feasibility of such a perimeter, as district officials have indicated they may not have jurisdiction beyond school grounds.
Furthermore, UTLA has proposed a formal campaign aimed at assisting families in updating emergency contact information, particularly so that trusted adults can step in if students’ parents are detained.
L.A. schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has indicated that outreach efforts regarding this issue are already in progress.
The union is also requesting that counselors be paid to begin their duties before the school year officially starts, ensuring that families affected by immigration enforcement feel supported and prepared for the new academic year.
Current data on the number of students or their family members who have been detained or deported remains unclear, as school district policy prohibits the collection of immigration status information. While a few cases have garnered media attention, privacy protections limit what schools can disclose.
Additionally, union leaders have asked for the district to supply food and personal care items to undocumented families who may be sheltering at home, as well as to offer a virtual learning option for those who are fearful of attending school due to immigration threats.
They are demanding the establishment of a means for deported students to earn their diplomas through virtual completion of high school requirements. The union also seeks to provide legal assistance for individuals affected by immigration raids, which includes support for school staff who advocate for immigrant rights.
In response to the rally, the superintendent’s office did not immediately comment on these specific demands; however, school board President Scott Schmerelson expressed that the district is willing to consider any proposals aimed at protecting immigrant families.
“Some of these ideas seem very workable,” Schmerelson stated, referencing discussions about creating safety perimeters for schools.
The union’s members maintained a clear message during the rally, stating their determination to shut down the school system if their demands are not met, despite their primary focus being directed at the federal government.
UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz emphasized that the violence inflicted upon immigrant families impacts all students, regardless of their own backgrounds. She stated, “Immigrant students are Black, they’re brown and they’re Asian. The trauma inflicted on these communities impacts every single one of them.”
She further explained that the mental well-being of entire classrooms is at risk when students are forcibly separated from their families or live in constant fear.
Myart-Cruz called on LAUSD to actively campaign for the return of all students who have been deported or detained, asserting their rights to continue their education without disruption.
The school district issued a statement in response to the union’s rally, highlighting their aligned commitment toward safeguarding every student, including those from immigrant backgrounds. They reiterated that they would take every necessary measure to ensure that all students in Los Angeles are safe, supported, and educated, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
During his back-to-school address, Superintendent Carvalho praised two principals who successfully turned away immigration agents from their elementary school campuses during welfare checks. The agents had attempted to access specific student information without providing proper documentation.
“You became shields, protecting the innocent lives of 7-, 8-, 10-year-olds from fear they should never, ever know,” Carvalho remarked, commending the principals’ actions.
In conclusion, the Los Angeles school district has emphasized a series of measures implemented to protect immigrant students, positioning schools as safe havens untouched by immigration enforcement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
image source from：latimes
