LAUSD Board of Education denounces Biden administration’s asylum rules

The LAUSD Board of Education made a symbolic show of support for those seeking refuge in the U.S. by passing this week a resolution condemning the Biden administration’s “de facto federal asylum ban.”

Although Title 42 — the Trump-era law that limited legal avenues for asylum seekers and resulted in 2.8 million deportations — is no longer in place, board members say immigration policies remain too restrictive.

“Many of us hoped that a more effective, humane and compassionate policy would supplant Title 42 … and that our migrant youth and families could begin the difficult work of rebuilding their lives,” said Board Member Kelly Gonez, who authored the resolution approved by the board on Tuesday, June 13. “Instead, the federal government replaced Title 42 policies with similar equally harmful restrictions that violate the temporary protected status of migrant asylum seekers and their right to due process.”

The resolution calls for a more compassionate approach to immigration laws as well as continued support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects undocumented people who came to the U.S. as children. It asks Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the district’s Office of Government Affairs to advocate for these policies at a federal level.

The resolution was passed by all members, save for Board Member George McKenna who abstained from voting after expressing frustration that the resolution offered few tangible steps for change.

“I’m not certain that we have taken the necessary time to fully think through and articulate the right or appropriate ask for advocacy on this issue,” McKenna said. “I don’t think the language here offers a solution, it’s another position which is political and has no teeth in it.”

LAUSD has taken several steps to protect its immigrant community. They include opening an Immigrant Family Resource Center at the Robert F. Kennedy Community of Schools, passing a policy that allows staff to refuse cooperation with immigration officials, and offering legal support services to families dealing with immigration issues.

Despite the lack of new action items, several first- and second-generation immigrants expressed their appreciation for the symbolic declaration.

“I’m proud to be the first in my family to attend college and this couldn’t have happened without LAUSD giving my parents the opportunity to receive a high school education,” said Natalie Ascorra. “Thank you Board Member Kelly Gonez for your leadership and commitment to stand up for a community that continues to face attacks.”

Andrew Martinez, whose mother was an undocumented LAUSD student, expressed his dismay that the U.S. appears to be backtracking on progress made in its immigration policy.

“I’m concerned by the fact that other students and families who are seeking asylum, just like my mother once did, are facing obstacles and barriers that hinder their access to education and the chance to have a better life,” he said. “We’re denying these individuals the same opportunities that my mother and countless others have benefited from.”

The resolution also received passionate support from Board Member Rocio Rivas, who came to the U.S. from Mexico at age two and is the only first generation immigrant on the board. She thanks LAUSD schools for the opportunities she was afforded in life, including the chance to obtain her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her PhD from Columbia University.

“As an immigrant myself, representing so many children of immigrants graduating this very year … I am devastated that our country continues to implement inhumane border policies that we already know put asylum-seekers in dangerous and often deadly situations,” said Board Member Rocío Rivas. “We can and must do better for those who need democracy most.”