The Inglewood Unified School District has updated its immigration policy to clarify how school administrators should respond if federal immigration agents appear on campus.
Under the revised policy, school officials must receive a judicial warrant before releasing any student or family information to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to James Morris, the district’s county administrator, who added that a warrant issued by ICE alone will not be sufficient.
The guidance also now requires the district to communicate with families if an ICE incident occurs on campus. Parents will be alerted through the ParentSquare communication platform, which can send text alerts. Written notifications may also be issued if necessary, Morris said.
Administrators are required to document any contact with immigration agents and notify district legal counsel immediately. Morris said the policy update was approved at the district’s meeting in February.
Morris told The LA Local the updated guidelines apply to anyone present on school grounds and said “the changes strengthen reporting procedures and enhance training for administrators” while reinforcing legal protections for students and families.
The updates come after California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued new guidance requiring districts to review and update their policies by March 1. Bonta addressed the new guidelines in a Dec. 2 statement.
“California cannot interfere with federal immigration enforcement, but we can and have chosen not to assist with the President’s inhumane agenda,” Bonta’s statement read. “In California, our diversity is our strength, and we will continue to stand up for our immigrant communities in the face of relentless attacks from the federal government.”
During Wednesday night’s board of education meeting, Councilmember Ernesto Castillo thanked Morris for complying with the updated guidance and said “a big part of our school population is protected. They understand that they are safe on our school sites.”
Morris said no ICE incidents have occurred on Inglewood campuses and emphasized that the district does not ask families for proof of citizenship or immigration status.
“We have followed all of the advice of the California attorney general to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to keep kids safe,” Morris said.
