San Mateo County schools launch education campaign on potential campus immigration enforcement
San Mateo County schools provide resources on immigration enforcement
President Trump announced that administration will allow federal immigration authorities to conduct raids at places of worship and schools. In San Mateo County educators quickly launched an outreach program to make sure districts, students and parents know their rights.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - President Trump announced this week that his administration will allow federal immigration authorities to conduct raids in what are called "sensitive" areas – including places of worship and schools.
In San Mateo County, educators quickly launched an outreach program to make sure districts, students and parents know their rights. This effort covers 23 school districts in San Mateo County and reaches more than 180 public schools.
Educators say the unknowns of what may or may not happen on the immigration issue can cause stress and directly impact learning.
At Sequoia High School in Redwood City, students say on social media, in the hallways, and even in some classrooms, the word that immigration raids could potentially take place on campus is being discussed.
"I know he also took away the executive order which Joe Biden had which said you could not come into schools and churches. So know he wants to come into cities and schools," said Tony Cervantes, a junior at the school.
Cervantes said one thing that is unknown – how serious is what President Trump is saying, or how much of it is intended simply to generate fear.
"Our teacher was going like ‘that we should not be worried about what is happening, and he said he knows a lot of people are scared. But we should be like together, not super scared,’ Cervantes said.
To get ahead of the issue, the San Mateo County Office of Education sent out an advisory to all the school districts in the county.
It reads, in part, "we maintain a clear position. San Mateo County does not, nor will we, collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the law."
The letter was sent with one main purpose.
"To decrease that level of anxiety and to communicate what our schools and districts are doing to protect and ensure that our students feel welcomed and safe in our schools," said Marco Chavez, deputy superintendent of Educational Services of the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Chavez said the fear of immigration enforcement can directly and negatively impact the learning environment.
"It has many different effects on children. One – the feeling of fear. Being in a classroom where they could potentially have agents on campus. Or more so, having fear that their parents could be deported while they are in school," Chavez said.
Back on campus, students say while there may be fear under the surface, for now, all anyone can do is wait and see what happens on the immigration issue and keep their eyes on social media.
"I heard this on TikTok. I have been seeing a lot of news about how Trump is trying to get rid of the law that lets you have kids here like citizenship," said Chris Hartel, a junior at the school.
The office of education is also reaffirming that schools are not to give out any information about students to ICE agents, or anyone else, without a warrant.
The overall goal is to keep students on all campuses in San Mateo County feeling safe, welcome, and focused on learning.