TUSD speaks on ICE in schools | News

TUCSON, ARIZ. (KVOA) — Tucson Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo held a news conference Wednesday to discuss immigration agents on campus. 

The Trump administration has removed restrictions that prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement from conducting raids at schools.

At the conference, Dr. Trujillo shared how his number one priority is ensuring all students have a right to an education, despite immigration status.

“All students have a right to attending school and an education, despite immigration status. That remains true under the 1982 Plier vs. Doe case of 1982. We have a legal obligation,” said Dr. Trujillo.

TUSD says if immigration agents come to schools, they must have proper forms to enter.

“If immigration agents show up to our schools, they must have the proper identifications and warrants,” explained Dr. Trujillo. 

Dr. Trujillo says if agents do have the proper forms, they will comply. However, their number one priority is to do so in the most discreet and least disruptive way to students. 

“If a situation took place on our campuses, we would respectfully ask enforcement to wait in a private area such as a front office, while we, the people who love and care for the students most, would retain the student and bring them to the front office,” said Dr. Trujillo.

TUSD announced principals were trained this morning on how to respond in a situation, and other front line staff will be trained later this week.