Arizona’s largest high school district firmly stated it will not support President Trump’s immigration initiatives.
It declared itself a “safe zone” for all students, regardless of their citizenship status.
On Saturday, Newsweek contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the White House, and the Phoenix Union High School District for comments.
However, no responses were provided.
Trump’s immigration stance was central to his presidential campaign, garnering significant public support for mass deportation.
A New York Times/Ipsos poll revealed that 55% of voters supported these plans, while 88% favored deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced the end of a policy preventing ICE arrests in sensitive areas such as schools.
This change raises concerns about the safety of students and families in educational environments.
According to the American Immigration Council, approximately 13.1% of Arizona’s residents are immigrants.
Moreover, about 8.6% of U.S.-born residents in border states have at least one immigrant parent, highlighting the community’s diversity.
On Friday, the Phoenix Union High School District’s governing board adopted a resolution to maintain a disruption-free educational environment.
This resolution emphasizes the district’s commitment to protecting students from external immigration enforcement.
The resolution mandates that any requests from ICE or other agencies to visit schools must be reviewed by Superintendent Thea Andrade or her designee.
They will assess whether access is legally permissible or requires a judicial warrant.
Furthermore, the district does not collect information regarding students’ immigration status.
If federal officials request such information, Andrade will ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Additionally, the district’s family engagement teams, consisting of social workers and assistant principals, will assist students if ICE detains their guardians.
This support underscores the district’s commitment to student welfare amid changing immigration policies.