September 9, 2026
Over the last two weeks, parents of our students have been detained by ICE in neighborhoods near our schools. Whatever the intent or circumstances of these operations, their proximity to schools, particularly during drop off and pick up times has a profound impact on entire school communities.
When immigration enforcement occurs near a school, the effects do not end with the individual being detained. Children see it. Families hear about it. Fear travels quickly through classrooms, playgrounds, and neighborhoods. Students arrive at school carrying questions and anxiety that no child, especially our youngest learners, should have to carry.
We are asking federal authorities, clearly and urgently: please stop conducting immigration enforcement near our schools and during school arrival and dismissal times.
Schools should not become the backdrop for enforcement activity and school routines should not become opportunities for it.
Our educators work every day to create places where children feel safe enough to learn, belong, and thrive. This destabilizes the sense of safety and places an additional burden on all of us. We are the ones consoling, moving cars, collecting belongings left behind by these covert operations.
For the sake of the children we serve and represent, we are asking for restraint, humanity, and distance.
Let schools remain places where children can simply be children.
Fabi Bagula, Ph.D. Superintendent, San Diego Unified School District
Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District
Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, Assemblymember, 79th District, State of California
Sean Elo-Rivera, Councilmember, District 9, City of San Diego
Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. Senator, District 39, State of California
Shana Hazan, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District
Richard Barrera, President, San Diego Unified School District
Sabrina Bazzo, Vice President, San Diego Unified School District
Cody Petterson, Trustee, San Diego Unified School District
Juan Vargas, Congressman, State of California’s 52nd District
Todd Gloria, Mayor, City of San Diego
Scott Peters, Congressman, State of California’s 50th District
Sara Jacobs, Congresswoman, State of California’s 51st District
Catherine Blakespear, Senator, District 38, State of California
Tasha Boerner, Assemblymember, 77th District, State of California
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