The current political climate is causing distress to an already taxed community, and unfortunately, our kids are the ones who are most impacted.

From:
Iris Zuñiga
Vice President, Youth Policy Institute

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2017  —  

Over the last few days, we have seen an increase in concern and panic from the families that we serve at our various school sites and centers. The current political climate is causing distress to an already taxed community, and unfortunately, our kids are the ones who are most impacted. 

We are working very closely with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District to make sure YPI receives the latest information and available resources. We’re also checking in with our local nonprofit partners and working on arranging a staff training that will better equip us with the tools necessary to support our families during this time. On the national level, we are working with National Council of La Raza and supporting in a myriad of advocacy efforts to fight against these unjust practices.

We knew that the transition in power would be challenging for our families, but what we are now witnessing is straight out unconstitutional and an attack on the family values that we stand for. At YPI, we are committed to continuing our support for our families and working alongside our partners to provide a buffer between these unconstitutional executive orders and unjust acts following such statements.

I have attached talking points that have been provided by LAUSD, along with a resource document and the press statement sent out by the mayor of Los Angeles.

In the next few days, we will be reaching out to our centers’ staff and management with additional training information.

Please stay tuned.

• Resource 1
  Talking Points Regarding Immigration Policies and Freedom from Discrimination. You can use these talking points from LAUSD to guide discussions on immigration-related issues with members of your school community. Translations in four additional languages (Armenian, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish), which will be sent out to parent community representatives along with the English version, have been included for your records.
  
  
• Resource 2
  Responses to Frequently Asked Questions: Immigration Policies and Freedom from Discrimination. The responses in this FAQ can be printed and distributed to members of your school community as you deem appropriate. This document has also been translated and is available in four additional languages.
  
  
• Resource 3
  Resource and Information Guide for Students and Families. Organized by LAUSD’s Student Health & Human Services, this useful document can be distributed to students and families as you deem appropriate. As more resources are compiled, the latest updates will be added to this document that's available online at achieve.lausd.net/familyresources.
  
  
• Resources 4–7 
  REF-6767.1: LAUSD Campuses as Safe Zones and Resource Centers. This document provided guidance on procedures to follow if federal immigration officials request access to a school site or district facility, student, or student records.
  
  
• Resource 8
  Training video guide on REF-6767.1, available on LAUSD’s website.
  
  
• Resource 9
  Mayor Garcetti on ICE Enforcement Actions. A press release from the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
  
  
• Resource 10
  Know Your Rights from NCLR’s website.

DOWNLOAD ALL RESOURCES

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