The following message was recently sent to staff and families in the VUSD Connections Newsletter.
Dear Ventura Unified School District Families,
District staff recently received multiple inquiries regarding the federal government’s proposed actions to use Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws on school grounds. We want to reassure you that Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is committed to fostering safe and supportive learning environments for all students, including those who are immigrants or come from immigrant families.
It is important to know that students, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution and state law. In California public schools, the law requires us to uphold the following:
- Non-Discrimination
- All students, including those who are undocumented or come from immigrant families, have the right to receive a quality education free from discrimination and participate in school activities.
- Safe School Environment
- Schools are prohibited from voluntarily allowing immigration enforcement officers to access campus without a federal court warrant or subpoena. Additionally, schools cannot request Social Security numbers or ask about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their parents/guardians unless explicitly required by law.
- Confidentiality of Student Information
- We are required to protect the privacy of our students. Schools cannot share personal information about students or their family members for immigration enforcement purposes without a federal court warrant or subpoena.
Our schools must remain safe places for children to learn and for educators to teach. Under current state law, school officials are required to allow immigration agents to enter campuses with a federal court warrant or subpoena issued by a judge or magistrate.
If an immigration officer approaches any staff or student during school hours or on campus, they will be directed to the school principal or front office to address their request. Such actions can be traumatic not only for involved individuals but also for students and staff who witness these events.
If an immigration officer requests to speak with or detain a student while at school, we will notify the student’s parent or guardian immediately. Unless there is a court order or judicial subpoena, we will not provide access to the student while on campus.
We encourage families to explore resources on the Ventura County Office of Education’s Educational Rights webpage: https://www.vcoe.org/rights. While reviewing all the information is beneficial, families may also find the following resources helpful.
- Know Your Educational Rights (English)
- Know Your Educational Rights (Spanish)
- Joint statement from Ventura County Sheriff and Ventura County District Attorney (English)
- Joint statement from Ventura County Sheriff and Ventura County District Attorney (Spanish)
- VUSD Board Policy (5145.13) Response to Immigration Enforcement, and Administrative Regulation (5145.13) (2017) (English)
- Board of Education Resolution 17-04 (English)
- Board of Education Resolution 17-04 (Spanish)
Thank you for partnering with us to create a safe and supportive environment for every child in our district. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your school’s principal or the Educational Services department at the district office.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Castro
Superintendent