PTA supports policies that create a safe and supportive school environment for all families and students, including students in immigrant and mixed-status families. We support protecting and preserving public school attendance, student learning, and well-being, which are paramount to our country’s future success.
The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455/H.R. 1061) would prohibit immigration enforcement actions by Department of Homeland Security officers or agents at or within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations. This would include public and private schools and other education-related locations, such as pre-schools, Head Start programs, early care and education programs, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, school bus stops and protection during school field trips.
Public schools are institutions of learning, not immigration enforcement agencies, and should not be placed in the position of determining the legal status of immigrant children nor be required to enforce immigration laws.
PTA believes that schools should first and foremost be a safe and welcoming environment for all students, and not a place where students and their families should have to live in fear of being apprehended by federal agents. We urge Congress to take action and support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455/H.R. 1061) to ensure our schools become a safe place for every child to learn and thrive.