Resources For Our Immigrant or Refugee Children and Families and Their Allies
Tue, Jan 28 5:30pm

 

The Franklin PTA is united in our support of all children and families. We are blessed to live in an incredibly diverse region and state:

  • California is the most diverse state in the union, with over 10.6 million immigrants
  • At least 34% of residents of Alameda County are immigrants
  • More than 43% of Alameda County residents speak a language other than English at home
  • Half the children of Alameda County have at least one foreign-born parent
  • AUSD ranks in the top 5 most diverse school districts in California

Immigrants and refugees, regardless of their legal status, are a vital and critical part of our national, state, and local community. To be clear- immigrants are us, our family, our friends, our co-workers, our fellow Alamedans, and many Franklin Falcons. 

Recent changes to federal policy has caused fear and anxiety throughout our community. As always, our goal is to support all families and children. We offer the guidance below, and have coordinated with AUSD to have hard-copy handouts of “Know your Rights / Red Cards,” and a step-by-step family preparedness plan in multiple languages in the School’s front office by the end of the week. The Red Cards can also be accessed electronically here: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas. We encourage immigrant, refugee, and allied families to join the Diversity Equity and Inclusion PTA committee via Konstella to help us continue to support our full community and meet the needs of all families.

Sanctuary/Safe Haven

California is a sanctuary state, Alameda County is a sanctuary county, and the City of Alameda is a sanctuary city. What does that mean? Generally speaking, our local government’s limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agents in order to protect low-priority immigrants from deportation, while still turning over those who have committed serious crimes. AUSD is a Safe Haven School District, all school sites are designated as “safe havens for students, families, and the community.”

Federal Policy

Under previous  administrations, schools and churches were designated as “protected areas.” However, on January 21, 2025 the Trump Administration lifted their protected status. California is preparing legal and legislative responses to the new federal policy.

AUSD Policy 

It is the position of AUSD that that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will need to show “significant reason” to come onto school property. AUSD has policies in place, which include, consulting with legal counsel before addressing any immigration official’s request, including a request to come onto AUSD property. AUSD does not know, ask, or collect the immigration or legal status of any student or of their family members.

Under AUSD Board Policy 5145.13: 

  • Every school site should be a safe and welcoming place for all students and their families irrespective of their citizenship or immigration status
  • District staff cannot solicit or collect information about a student or family’s immigration or citizenship status
  • No student can be denied equal rights and opportunities based on their immigration or citizen status

What To Do If You or Others are Approached by ICE officers 

Inform your family members (even children), housemates, neighbors and co-workers, regardless of their immigration status, of their right to remain silent and all of these rights if ICE or the police come to your home, neighborhood or workplace. If you witness ICE or are stopped or detained by ICE, within Alameda County, you should call the Alameda County Immigration Legal & Education Partnership (ACILEP) at (510) 241-4011 immediately. This is a partnership between nine community based organizations and the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office. 

Your Legal Rights

Everyone who is within the borders of the United States, regardless of immigration legal status, has rights under the 4th and 5th Amendments of the US Constitution:

  • You have the right to remain silent.
  • You have the right to demand a warrant, signed by a Judge or Magistrate Judge, before letting anyone into your home.
  • You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
  • You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
  • You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with a lawyer.
  • If you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave, and if they say yes, leave calmly.

Things You Can / Should Do Now 

  • Talk to your children. This should be age-appropriate, open, and grounded in facts. Make sure your children know who is allowed to pick them up from school or aftercare, who is their designated temporary guardian, if you are unable to be. Make sure your children know their designated temporary guardian’s full names and if possible know or have their phone numbers. AUSD has gathered resources here: https://www.alamedaunified.org/communitysupports/immigrant-refugee-resources 
  • Make a child care and family preparedness plan.  
  • Make sure all information and emergency contacts are up to date at your children’s school(s) including who can and cannot pick up your children. 
  • Create a sheet of emergency numbers and contact information, and a file of important documents so that you, your family or your emergency contact person can easily access them. 
  • Complete a caregiver’s authorization affidavit, so another trusted adult can care for your children temporarily. 
  • Register your child’s birth with your home country’s government (for example, with your home country’s consulate) if your child was born in the United States.

What Allies Can Do During an Immigration Raid

If you can do so safely, take photos of, video record, document and report raids and arrests. To report a raid, call ACILEP in Alameda County (510) 241-4011, or contact the United We Dream hotline 1-844-363-1423 or text 877877.

We encourage parents to access AUSD’s “Let's Talk About It: Immigrants, Immigration, and Anti-Immigrant Bias” on the AUSD’s module webpage for further information on how to speak with your children about this topic.

Additional Resources

  • Read the AUSD Superintendents’ message here:
  • Access immigrant / refugee resources here 
  • AUSD’s Let’s Talk About It: Immigrants, Immigration, and Anti-Immigrant Bias module:  

The Franklin PTA stands in solidarity with all families in our community, especially those who may be affected by the recent policy changes. We are here to support and uplift one another during these challenging times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for resources or assistance.

Your Franklin Elementary PTA