California Bill Aims to Protect Schools from ICE

California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has proposed new legislation to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from accessing school campuses, aiming to create safe environments for all students, regardless of immigration status. The bill would prohibit ICE from entering schools without a judicial warrant and restrict police cooperation with immigration enforcement within a one-mile radius of educational facilities. This initiative follows evidence from a 2018 Stanford study indicating significant drops in Latino student attendance and performance during heightened federal deportation activities. Thurmond emphasized the importance of maintaining school attendance to secure funding and ensure that immigrant families do not feel threatened while accessing education. Local school districts have expressed support for the bill, affirming that schools should be safe havens for learning. The legislation is part of a broader effort to protect vulnerable populations and uphold the right to education for all children in California.