Union Rally for Immigrant Families in LA

On Saturday, the LA Teachers Union, along with various supporters, staged a rally aimed at prompting the school district to take stronger measures to assist immigrant families. One of their demands was for the federal government to take custody of certain situations, as students were reportedly transferred to the Los Angeles area.

Officials from the school district, in both public statements and meetings, seemed to brush aside the union’s mixed messages, instead expressing solidarity with multiple groups advocating for immigrant families.

This rally unfolded outside the district’s headquarters and included a march to downtown, drawing around 500 demonstrators. Many wore vibrant red shirts representing Los Angeles, showcasing unity among the approximately 38,000 teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, and librarians in the United Teachers Los Angeles.

They chanted slogans like, “It’s not deportation,” and “Speak out! Be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!”

One of the speakers was Vanessa Guerrero, a senior from the nearby Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. She shared her feelings about her classmates who had been apprehended and deported.

“She was supposed to be a senior this year,” Vanessa recalled, emphasizing the girl’s dedication and hard work as an outstanding student deeply involved in her school community.

Vanessa, along with others, mentioned that her classmate and her mother were seized during immigration appointments, and the situation has left them all on edge. “Honestly, it’s scary for everyone,” she noted.

The union is advocating for a confrontational approach towards the Trump administration, including legal action to defend immigrant rights. While school officials acknowledged ongoing concerns, they specified that the district is not currently involved in litigation against the administration.

One demand from the union is to create a two-block perimeter around schools where immigration enforcement would not occur. However, it remains uncertain whether district staff has authority beyond school boundaries.

The union is also pushing for a formal initiative to help families update emergency contact information, which could prove crucial if parents face detainment. LA Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho mentioned that outreach efforts are already in progress for this purpose.

Additionally, the union wants counselors to be compensated for returning to work before the school year begins to address potential immigration enforcement issues. Yet, there’s a lack of clarity regarding the number of students or families who have faced detainment or deportation, as the district does not keep immigration status records. While some high-profile cases have emerged, district policy and privacy laws restrict the release of detailed information.

Union leaders have expressed a desire to provide essential resources like food and personal care items to undocumented families and to create virtual learning options for those fearing school attendance due to immigration raids.

They proposed a “pathway” for students who have been deported to eventually earn LAUSD diplomas through virtual coursework, encouraging them to become advocates for others affected by similar circumstances.

While some requests have yet to receive responses, school board president Scott Schmerelson indicated that the district would entertain measures to support families and even attended the rally himself, noting the viability of certain ideas presented.

During the demonstration, union members made it clear they would consider closing schools if their demands went unmet, primarily directing their frustration towards the federal government.

“This violence impacts us all,” remarked UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz. “The trauma experiences inflicted upon immigrant students reverberates throughout their classrooms.” She stressed the importance of mental well-being in schools, asserting that schools should strive to return all deported or detained students to their education.

In response to the rally, the district emphasized shared objectives, affirming a commitment to ensuring the safety and education of all students, particularly immigrant children. “Our partnership is rooted in the belief that every child deserves support,” a district statement read.

As schools are set to resume on August 13th, Carvalho acknowledged the efforts of two principals who had previously engaged with immigration officials who approached their campuses under the guise of welfare checks. Declaring the need to protect young lives from unnecessary fears, Carvalho commended those who followed their conscience during challenging circumstances.

District officials are highlighting various measures to ensure the safety of students and families, portraying campuses as protective environments where federal authorities have limited access. The union is currently involved in contract negotiations, and although such negotiations typically involve member rallies, Saturday’s focus was largely on advocating for those affected by recent immigration enforcement actions in the area under the Trump administration.