Pasadena Unified Holds Special Meeting to Discuss Strengthening Immigrant Families’ Protections

Pasadena Unified School District convened a special Board meeting Monday to reaffirm its commitment to protecting students and families from the effects of federal immigration enforcement activities, as the District and community partners grapple with what they describe as an unprecedented challenge overlapping with ongoing fire recovery efforts.

The June 30 study session brought together Board members, Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, city leadership, and trusted community partners to review measures the District has implemented since January and assess additional needs as the new school year approaches.

“We didn’t wait,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco during the meeting. “When federal enforcement activity increased, we acted swiftly, with heart, clarity, and purpose. We are proud to have trained our employees, equipped our campuses, and strengthened our policies so every student and family knows they are safe, welcomed, and seen in PUSD.”

Since January, the District has operated under a Safe and Welcoming Schools Resolution formally declaring all schools as safe spaces regardless of immigration status. Staff have received training with expert legal support from F3 Law, while the District launched internal guidance tools including one-page “At-a-Glance” briefs and a confidential emergency response line for employees.

All campuses now display clear signage indicating their non-public status with secure entry protocols. The District has installed new secure entry cameras and modified food services to support families both on and off campus, while staff volunteers accompany students to and from public bus stops as part of protected transportation protocols.

“This is not a one-time response, it’s a continuous commitment,” said PUSD Board President Jennifer Hall Lee. “By listening to our community and working side by side with city partners, legal experts, and organizations on the ground, we’re ensuring our students and families know: PUSD stands with you.”

The impact on summer programs has been significant. Christy Zamani, executive director of Day One, reported that of 110 students registered for Skills summer program, only 52 are attending. “That’s half that never happens,” Zamani said, noting that staff have conducted one-on-one phone calls to connect with families.

Community partners painted a stark picture of current conditions. Yolanda Trevino, executive director of Pasadena/Altadena Coalition for Transformative Leaders, testified that “I would say that probably out of the a hundred percent of families that we serve, more than 50% are absolutely terrified to come out. Absolutely terrified.”

“Unfortunately, many of our families are going back home. You should know that they can’t take the stress anymore,” Trevino told the Board. “A lot of these kids have never been in their country. They don’t know what it’s like. Many of our kids don’t even speak Spanish.”

The District’s student Board member offered a youth perspective on the crisis. “I have many friends who are undocumented or with mixed status, and I talk to ’em every day and they’re scared,” the student representative said. “When you’re in a state of fear, it’s harder to focus, harder to learn.”

Rosanna Rios from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights emphasized the unprecedented nature of current enforcement, referring to her executive director: “her being in the agency for almost 40 plus years, this is the scariest. This is the most real immigration enforcement that she has seen.” The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights operates a rapid response hotline at 888-624-4752 for reporting ICE activity.

School principals reported implementing comprehensive safety protocols while maintaining supportive environments.

“Madison is a very special community. We are a community school, so I’m proud to say that we know absolutely every family on our campus,” said Madison Elementary Principal Elisa Perez. “And that’s what Madison has become. We’ve made sure that it’s a safe place for our families and for our communities where people feel welcome.”

Deputy to the Mayor Vannia De La Cuba, herself an immigrant and PUSD alumna, outlined the city’s response efforts while acknowledging limitations.

“But once we verify, there’s not much that we can do,” she explained, noting that local police cannot interfere with federal immigration activities once agents are confirmed as legitimate federal officers.

The overlapping crises of fire recovery and immigration enforcement have strained resources. Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan with the Clergy Community Coalition described it as “two fires” affecting immigrant families. Multiple organizations reported delivering groceries and supplies directly to families’ homes, with some families facing unexpected utility bills while displaced from fire-damaged homes.

“I think that this is going to be a long road. Just like the fire recovery is going to be a long road. It’s not going to end anytime soon,” Pastor Macedo-Nolan cautioned.

The Pasadena Educational Foundation issued a statement read by Blanco: “The Pasadena Educational Foundation stands in full support of the Pasadena Unified School District and its leadership as they plan to protect students and families from immigration enforcement activities on school grounds in alignment with our mission to work toward equity and excellence in all PUSD schools.”

During the meeting, the Board discussed but ultimately withdrew a proposed resolution after extensive debate about legal implications and the need for attorney review. Board members expressed consensus in supporting the superintendent’s ongoing efforts.

“This isn’t just a summer thing. This isn’t just next month and it ends. This is a lot more longer term,” Rios emphasized, urging the District to plan accordingly for the academic year.

The District’s Safe and Welcoming Schools Team, established earlier this year, continues to meet monthly to assess needs and implement improvements. Officials emphasized that training for all staff will continue through the summer and into the new school year, with the launch focused on social-emotional support alongside protocol compliance.

“We need COVID type support,” Zamani said, listing needs including transportation, computer and wifi access, hotspots, virtual education options, and economic support for affected families.