A Southern California school district is considering a resolution to support federal immigration enforcement just days after students walked out of classrooms to protest deportation efforts.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Board will vote Tuesday on a resolution affirming support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other law enforcement agencies, according to Voice of OC.
The resolution, proposed by Trustee Leandra Blades, states that “the Placentia-Yorba Linda Board of Education affirms its support for local law enforcement officers and federal immigration officers who carry out their duties professionally and lawfully.”
At the same meeting, the board will also consider a separate policy that would prohibit immigration officers from entering non-public areas of school campuses or accessing student records without a court order – a measure required by California law.
The dueling proposals come after students from El Dorado and Valencia High Schools walked out of classes on Friday to protest President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and recent ICE enforcement actions. The Fullerton Observer reported that students carried signs reading “No ICE Violence” and “ICE Out” during the demonstration.
Critics have raised concerns about Blades’ resolution, noting that it appears to selectively interpret California’s Board Policy 1445. L.A. TACO reports that while the policy includes language preventing staff from physically obstructing immigration officers, it also explicitly prohibits staff from granting permission for these officers to enter non-public areas without proper legal authorization.
Blades, a retired Los Angeles County law enforcement officer elected to the board in 2020, has publicly advocated for cooperation with ICE. In a January 30 livestream quoted by L.A. TACO, she stated, “There’s several examples, you know from teachers handing out ICE cards and showing how NOT to cooperate… somebody has to lead this and say yes we will cooperate.”
The district spokesperson, Lorely Meza, told Voice of OC that the district “aims to create a safe environment for students regardless of immigration status” and that its “policies are aligned with applicable laws and education codes.”
The board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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