By Abigail KIm

While running for president, Donald Trump’s campaign hinged on the fact that he would implement anti-immigrant policies and a mass deportation operation against both legal and illegal immigrants. Since his first day in office, he has launched a flurry of aggressive executive orders and actions targeting immigrants across the nation. A major order that Trump has enacted was directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand the nation’s detention infrastructure and detain those arrested by the DHS with a pending deportation. Now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is free to conduct arrests in places such as churches, hospitals, courthouses, and schools. 

The new federal immigration enforcement poses a dangerous threat to many. California lawmakers are attempting to set boundaries on immigration enforcement within California through Senate Bill 48. If passed, the law would block immigration enforcement actions near schools. It would prevent ICE agents from entering school grounds without a judicial warrant or documentation, ban schools from disclosing student or staff information, establish a one mile radius around schools, and prevent attendance declines linked to deportation. 

But as of right now, schools across the nation are doing the best they can to protect undocumented immigrant students, including Granada Hills Charter High School (GHC). GHC’s policy has been, and always will be, to protect its students, especially during these times. In terms of general campus security measures, GHC is a closed campus. All entrance areas are monitored with check-in areas at all entrances and exits. In addition to regular campus security patrol, GHC has its own surveillance cameras and emergency communication systems to ensure students are safe at all times. 

Administrative Director Julia Howelman affirmed this fact, stating, “I want people to know that Granada is safe and has clear safety parameters. All visitors must check in at the Kingsbury entrance and provide the reason for their visit. When visitors without prior approval come to the entrance, GHC administrators or our Los Angeles School Police Officer are contacted and respond accordingly.” 

In addition to their closed campus protocol, GHC is working to ensure student and family confidentiality. Any requested information or records are required to have a subpoena and GHC adheres to federal and state laws which protect student records and information. 

“We’re following our well established policies and practices, which protect you all the time,” Howelman said. “We’re really lucky because we’ve been doing this for such a long time and it’s nothing new here.
Everybody knows what to do.”

GHC is also planning to distribute business cards to interested students that will provide a list of constitutional rights and what to do if something were to happen. In addition to the cards, GHC has disseminated laminated posters to classrooms and offices reaffirming that students are safe on campus. Teachers also received a school site notification checklist so teachers are prepared. 

Regardless of what happens, it is important to be familiar with your educational rights as a student. According to the constitution of the United States, all children, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to a free public education and cannot be denied their right to it.  Except for the case of a subpoena, information will always remain confidential and consent is required from parents or guardians before any information is released. 

Ultimately, GHC remains committed to ensuring that each and every one of its students are protected and is a safe and secure environment for them. Schools are supposed to be a place for learning, not fear, and GHC exemplifies this as it continues to work to stand by its students.