Los Angeles County Immigration

California State PTA expresses urgent concern about immigration enforcement tactics that threaten the educational well-being of all children in California schools.

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In January 2025, the federal government rescinded policies that protected schools from immigration enforcement actions. Since then, immigration agents have attempted to access school grounds, appeared in school parking lots, and conducted enforcement near educational facilities throughout California. Reports document agents targeting children at elementary schools, in school drop-off areas, during field trips, and at graduation ceremonies. Of particular concern, these enforcement actions increasingly involve masked agents in plain clothes who refuse to properly identify themselves, creating additional fear and confusion for children, families, and school staff.

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These enforcement tactics create fear that fundamentally undermines children’s ability to learn and thrive. An estimated 1 million children, one out of every six,  in California have at least one undocumented parent, but the impact extends far beyond these families. Educators report that 92% of K-12 teachers state that enforcement concerns have impacted their overall classroom climate, directly and indirectly affecting all students’ ability to learn. The trauma and anxiety created by immigration enforcement in schools creates a ripple effect that diminishes the educational experience for all students, regardless of their immigration status. They also hamper the creation of the positive, constructive relationships between families and schools that are essential for a strong, inclusive school community. 

 

Educational Impact

Schools must be safe spaces for learning where every child can thrive, not places of fear. When immigration enforcement occurs at schools—particularly involving masked, unidentified agents—it impacts all students by:

• Decreasing attendance and parent participation across the entire school community

• Disrupting classroom learning and concentration for every student

• Reducing school funding tied to attendance which affects resources for all children

• Creating trauma and anxiety that can spread throughout the school environment

• Undermining children’s fundamental trust in the safety and security of their learning spaces

 

California has responded with state legislation and Attorney General guidance to protect students, but federal action is needed to fully safeguard educational environments.

 

Our Call to Action

The California State PTA calls upon the federal government to:

• Immediately restore protections for educational settings, including schools, school-related activities, pickup/drop-off zones, and school bus stops.

• Guarantee safe access to education for all children without fear of immigration enforcement consequences.

• Protect student confidentiality and prohibit sharing of educational records for immigration enforcement purposes.

• Require proper identification and transparency by mandating that any law enforcement personnel operating near schools clearly identify themselves and prohibit the use of face coverings that obscure identity.

• Preserve classroom learning environments by ending enforcement actions that create fear and trauma, affecting all students’ educational experience.

 

Our Commitment

Every child in every classroom deserves to attend school without fear. Education is a constitutional right, and schools are sacred spaces for learning and growth for all students. The California State PTA will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the educational welfare of every child, foster family engagement, and ensures that all students can reach their full potential in safe, supportive learning environments.

 

The time for action is now—every day we delay is another day children lose access to the fear-free education that is fundamental to their development and our community’s future.

 

The California State PTA represents over 500,000 members working to positively impact the lives of all children and families.