SAN JOSE, CA –  The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) and Santa Clara County Board of Education (SCCBOE) continue to advocate for students and their families by supporting legislation that could provide additional protection to children with undocumented or mixed-immigration statuses. 

On July 15, SCCBOE Trustee Jorge Pacheco Jr.  provided testimony in the state capitol at the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Assembly Bill (AB) 49, the Safe Haven Schools Act​.  Authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), AB 49 would prohibit school employees from allowing immigration enforcement officers to enter a school without a signed judicial warrant and would deny access to any facilities where children are present. 

“While we have done everything we can to stand with our community, AB 49 would support us in two additional ways,” said Pacheco at the committee meeting. “First, it would provide stronger legal grounds for school staff to deny entry to immigration enforcement agents who are trying to enter campus or access student information. AB 49 would give school staff confidence that they have the authority to deny entry to immigration agents without a judicial warrant. Second, even if immigration enforcement agents have a judicial warrant and schools are required to allow them on campus, the bill would ensure that agents are denied access to rooms where students are present. This reassurance would create a greater sense of safety for our families.”

In support of undocumented students and families in Santa Clara County, the SCCOE and the SCCBOE have co-sponsored the legislation for months and previously provided primary testimony in support. At its July 15 meeting, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in favor of the bill. The bill’s next stop is the Committee on Appropriations.  

The SCCOE and SCCBOE have led several efforts to reassure families and school staff that school is a safe haven regardless of immigration status. For resources, please visit https://www.sccoe.org/supoffice/Pages/Immigrant-Student-Resources.aspx 

 

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