The Fairbanks North Star School Board is set to vote on a resolution aimed at blocking federal agents from enforcing longstanding immigration laws.
Listed under action items for the Sept. 2 school board meeting the resolution suggests that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are causing fear and making schools “less welcoming” by enforcing federal law.
“The District stands firm in assuring all students and families that we will do everything in our lawful power to prevent disruptions to the educational environment that may be created by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the Fairbanks resolution states, adding that the district will take “all lawful measures to prevent any actions by ICE or other federal agents that would disrupt the educational process, infringe upon the rights of students or their families, or create a climate of fear within our schools.”
In proposing the resolution, the Fairbanks School Board is following recommendations by the left-leaning National Education Association union, which calls on school districts around the nation to adopt so-called “Safe Zone” policies to block or hinder ICE attempts to enforce immigration laws around schools.
The legality of school Safe Zones, however, is questionable. Earlier this year the Denver Public School district lost a lawsuit that aimed to block federal agents from conducting enforcement actions at or near Denver schools. In March, a federal judge denied the district’s request for an injunction and ruled that the federal government is well within its rights to enforce immigration policy.
Nevertheless, the Fairbanks School Board is pressing ahead, suggesting that the Trump administration’s efforts to address the flood of illegal aliens is rooted in discrimination and fear.
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For his part, Trump has maintained that his administration is resolute in holding to account those who illegally enter the country.
While Trump’s primary focus has been on deporting those who present significant threats to national security and public safety, he is also intent on addressing illegals who have gained the immigration system’s failures for other reasons.
“Many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels,” Trump explained in a Jan. 20 White House memo. “The American people deserve a Federal Government that puts their interests first and a Government that understands its sacred obligation to prioritize the safety, security, and financial and economic well-being of Americans.”
The Fairbanks resolution mentions the Jan. 20 memo, claiming that it “is causing concern among educators, students and families served by the school district.” It also claims the Trump administration is stirring “fear and distrust of government agencies amongst people of color, regardless of immigration status.”
The resolution goes on to assert that federal immigration enforcement activities “such as surveillance, questioning, information requests, arrests, or detentions – on or near district property or transportation routes disrupt the learning environment for all students, regardless of immigration status by discouraging attendance, participation, and family engagement.”
If passed the Fairbanks resolution would impact teachers and staff by enlisting them in the resistance effort by informing all employees of their “legal obligations and district policies and administrative regulations regarding the protection of student privacy and restrictions on access to school grounds by state and local non-emergency federal law enforcement.”
TAKING ACTION
— The Fairbanks School Board will meet on Sept. 2, beginning at 6 p.m., in the boardroom of the Administrative Center, 520 Fifth Avenue. Public testimony can be provided either in-person or via Zoom (Link and Webinar ID: 822 0858 1801).
— Those interested in testifying should send an email to schoolboard@k12northstar.org or call (452-2000, ext. 11400) no later than 4 p.m. the day of the meeting to sign-up. Those who have signed-up in advance will be called upon first, and if time remains, anyone else who is in-person will be invited to testify until the one-hour time limit has been reached. Public testimony will be heard from citizens in the order in which they have signed up. Testimony is limited to three minutes per person.
22 Comments
If this comes to a vote by the schoolboard to stymie the federal agencies tasked with enforcing immigration law and removing illegal immigrants than each board member voting for this anti-Ice policy should be immediately recalled and also charged with obstruction of justice.
Gawd, how could anyone support armed agents in school looking for brown kids who may have misspelled a word on their application form. Will the agents cuff the brown skin child in front of his her peers and parents? Christian conservatives are pro family pro parental rights and pro less government. If that’s true, are you going to let your child, your community and your ethics be compromised by the Felon, Pedophile,Vandal Trump? Years ago, Republicans feared jack booted military thugs and the deep watchful eye of the ( communist) government. Now, here it is and normally sound Republicans are welcoming dishonor and cruelty. What happened?
At some point, Trump supp
I find it hypocritical that people call the Trump administration communist’s and Nazi’s and list that fact that Trump is following immigration laws that are on the books. Yet it was ok when the Biden administration tried to suppress free speech or information that didn’t align with their narrative nothing was said and when people did speak up they where called Nazi’s and communist’s.
that’s cuz liberal crazy demorats are nothing more than hypocrites. they just ignore their own stupidity
Might need some specifics to understand your concern
Bull Shite. Alaskan Native. White Man!!
yea trumps a pedophile, felon, blah blah.
keep repeating it
and yes they have the authority to remove them no matter the venue. show us a video of a 15 yo being cuffed or else stop inventing such things.
only the violent felons or resistors get cuffed.
You are the gilded product of political gullibility. Trump relies on you. “only the violent felons or resistors get cuffed.” Not true. Try increasing your intake of nutritious true news.
The NEA was formed through a ” Congressional Charter.” Why can that Charter be cancelled? The NEA does not serve the students or communities. The upcoming resolutions that were cited in an earlier Watchman reveals an effort by the NEA to thwart the Executive Orders and push harder for LBGTQ… ideology in the Schools. There were many other resolutions with the Marxist flavor being planned nationwide and through the school Boards. The other major union is financing the Communist’s run for mayor of New York. The current unions are counter productive and if they get their power through the Department of Labor then that department should be dissolved like the Department of Education. We pray daily that the efforts of the leftists will not succeed and that the US will continue to clean up the Clinton/Obama/Biden mess and the “deep state” That we will use our Rule of Law and other founding documents to govern the state and the country. By the way, the Holy Bible is a historic document that should be recognized in publlc schools.
Our comments above: Correction: in the first sentences, we typed can but meant cannot. Why can’t the Congressional Charter be cancelled.
Fairbanks citizens must be in competition with San Fransisco to see who can have the most deranged community in the country. If they’re here illegally then get them out, I don’t care what country they’re from, or what how they help the Fairbanks community. Chance are Fairbanks just wants more federal money to support and house these criminals. Yes, criminals!
They will be cut off from Federal Funds
“infringe upon the rights of students or their families, or create a climate of fear within our schools.”
Do you read what this says. You have no rights you are an illegal in our country. There will be no disruption by having the illegals gone, happy school day.
Trump and ICE are going to deport you and your family.
I have an image in mind of Charles Darwin with a caption beneath that reads ‘yeah, that’s a good idea; you should try it’.
They do NOT have enforcement poqers of ANY kind. Let alone against the Federal Government ICE. Give me a break. The man who put this forth is a weakling in his own right with his bare butt showing in an apron on Facebook. Anyone whom we would want deciding for our children on ANYTHING? NOPE!
Why would anyone, or any organization be against the USA and against plain common decency and not be law abiding??? Why would anyone want children to be following indecency and trampling on the constitution and more importantly, why? Why be taught this? And what the hell are “safe zones” they sound like a shaded area where an unscrupulous character can do some shady crap under the guise of “education”. Fairbanks school board, if you live by this mantra, put your names in letters for the world to see, I want to know who you are, if you believe in yourself and your message then put it out there, show your colors!
Fairbanks is a Military and Federal Government hub, I wonder how long they would last without Government funding. Hasn’t President Trump started to hold back certain types of Government funding?
Arrest and charge anyone that Obstructs Federsal ICE going after Criminals! Charge to the full extent of the LAW! Enough of this Marxist Lawlessness!
Arrest and charge anyone that Obstructs Federal ICE going after Criminals! Charge to the full extent of the LAW! Enough of this Marxist Lawlessness!
Fairbanks will do everything in their “lawful power” to stop ICE from stopping Fairbanks from destroying another generation? Isn’t killing the futures of all their charges illegal (vs “lawful”)? Yeah, Fairbanks, you go! Teach Ice a lesson. Puleeese! Show everyone what other cities could not. The demons in the education system in Fairbanks need to disperse, along with all the school staff they are attached to. Praise God for ICE.
great we got a bunch of sanctuary commies here. well, wait til they leave school grounds so these pompous sanctuary types cant hold that argument. the commies should be charged with obstruction for blocking any enforcement. if some squeamish types don’t like rounding up illegal minors , then round up the whole family. they broke the law by entering, its time to leave.
Do you follow christian teachings? Doesn’t sound like it.