Phoenix School District Declares Campuses as Safe Zones Amid Policy Changes
In an effort to shield students and families from immigration enforcement, the Phoenix Union High School District has officially designated its campuses as safe zones. This decision, unanimously supported by the governing board, comes at a time of heightened concern among community members.
The board’s resolution emphasizes the district’s commitment to maintaining a disruption-free educational environment. This move is particularly significant following recent policy shifts by the Trump administration, which reversed previous restrictions on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in protected areas like schools and churches.
Board member Francisco Pastor-Rivera underscored the importance of this resolution, stating, “Given this, I want to continuously make sure that our schools remain a safe zone for our students and our families so I think the wording in this particular resolution is very, very, very, clear.”
Ceyshe Napa, serving as the president of the Phoenix Union governing board, expressed the necessity for students to feel secure on campus, regardless of external political pressures, saying, “Our students need to be on our campuses free of fear, regardless of the political climate that we find ourselves in or we find ourselves in the future.”
In a communication to families, the district’s superintendent reinforced the assurance that all students should experience the protection of their constitutional right to education, independent of their immigration status.
