Pasadena Unified Urges Community Safey and Preparedness as Immigration Crisis Grows

The Pasadena Unified School District on Thursday reiterated that it maintains comprehensive safety measures restricting immigration enforcement access to school campuses in response to recent federal immigration enforcement activities in the region.

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of children in our schools, their families, our employees, and our broader community,” Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco wrote in a June 12 letter to the District community. “At Pasadena Unified School District, we are committed to maintaining environments of calm routine for children in our schools, where the focus is on learning, joy, and community.”

Strict Campus Access Controls In Place, Dr. Blanco Said

The District requires all law enforcement personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, to check in through designated single entry points at all preschool through 12th-grade campuses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not be permitted on school grounds without a lawfully executed court order, Dr. Blanco wrote in her email to the community.

The school system will not collect or share information about the immigration status of students or their families. These measures align with existing Board Policy and state guidance, according to Dr. Blanco.

District Emphasizes Educational Continuity and Community Strength

“We believe that schools must be places where all students, staff, and families feel valued and secure, and can focus on learning without fear, whether during the regular school year or during summer programs,” the Superintendent’s letter stated.

Acknowledging community resilience, Dr. Blanco noted that “The Pasadena Unified School District community has faced many challenges recently. And each time, we emerge stronger and more united.” She emphasized that “Pasadena Unified School District schools will continue to be anchors in our community, where the focus is on the joy of learning and on community.”

Family Emergency Preparedness Resources Emphasized

Dr. Blanco said that Pasadena Unified strongly encourages parents to update their emergency contact information and designate multiple trusted adults authorized to pick up their children through individual school contacts or the Aeries Parent Portal.

The District created a dedicated webpage at pusd.us/immigrationresources with family preparedness plan templates available in both English and Spanish.

Educational Rights and Legal Resources Provided

The District also directed families to educational rights information:

Update School Emergency Contacts: Ensure that several trusted adults are listed to pick up your child. Contact your school or make changes through the Aeries Parent Portal using a browser.

Complete a Family Preparedness Plan English Español. Click here for a template.

Know Your Rights:

From the California Department of Justice: Know Your Educational Rights (English | Spanish)

From the Immigrant Legal Resource Center: What Immigrants Should Know (English | Spanish)

From the State of California: Immigration and California Families

Reach out for Support when needed

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)

California Attorney General’s Office

California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau

L.A. County Office of Immigrant Affairs

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA)

Get Legal Aid if needed

LA County Office of Education (LACOE) list of Legal Resources for Detained Family Members

Dr. Blanco wrote that the District joins the City of Pasadena in encouraging community members to remain peaceful and safe, to follow the law, and to abide by values that define the District community. The Superintendent emphasized “Stay safe.”