In a unanimously approved resolution filled with open disdain for President Trump’s efforts to enforce longstanding U.S. immigration laws, the left-wing Fairbanks School Board voted on Aug. 18 to reaffirm its commitment to block federal agents who seek access to area schools or information about possible illegal aliens.
The resolution echoes a similar measure passed last September and follows legal strategies from leftist groups such as the ACLU and the National Education Association.
Introduced by School Board President Robert Burgess, the resolution claims that Fairbanks schools strive to be free of “discrimination” while welcoming “all students, regardless of immigration status, race, color, religion, gender, or country of origin.”
It goes on to blast Trump’s move last year to allow immigration officers to enforce the law in schools, college campuses and other areas, claiming such actions are “causing concern among educators, students, and families served by the school district.”
The resolution claims that enforcement of immigration laws has caused “distrust of government agencies amongst people of color, regardless of immigration status.”
It also asserts, without any evidence, that federal immigration enforcement “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.”
The resolution admits that the Fairbanks School District includes immigrants, including “mixed-status families.” It openly acknowledges that “numerous students …. and family relationships are at risk because of their immigration status.”
It then claims that 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).”
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According to the resolution, all district staff and employees are to be enlisted in the effort to use all lawful means for restricting federal agents from obtaining access to student information, unless they have verified warrants that supersede district directives.
These directives are to be distributed to all families and employees throughout the district.
Longtime School Board Member Timothy Dorren praised the board for passing the resolution, calling it “extremely timely,” and saying it was “very important that we make this statement.”
The Department of Homeland Security, however, has repeatedly stated that ICE agents do not target schools or children for enforcement.
“ICE is NOT going to schools to arrest children,” DHS stated on its social media account earlier this year. “A dangerous illegal alien felon fleeing into a school, or a child sex offender working as an employee, may create a situation where an arrest is made to protect public safety. Criminals are no longer able to hide in America’s schools to avoid arrest.”
The statement goes on to note that the Trump administration trusts “brave law enforcement to use common sense. We will not tie the hands of law enforcement officers; they must be allowed to PROTECT children from public safety threats.”
In reality, the Fairbanks resolution can only go so far.
U.S. schools cannot block a valid judicial warrant. Once presented and verified, access must generally be granted to the extent specified, and actively shielding or harboring someone known to be removable can risk federal criminal liability.
Federal supremacy laws prohibit local school districts from attempting to nullify federal immigration authority. Schools can, however, control their own resources, property access rules, and information-sharing.
Given that ICE enforcement in or around schools is extremely rare, it appears the resolution is largely a symbolic gesture by the school board against Trump and his immigration enforcement priorities.
Last fall, Homeland Security issued a statement, noting that some media outlets have attempted to “create a climate of fear and smear law enforcement,” which has contributed to ICE law enforcement officers facing a “1,000% increase in assaults against them.”
17 Comments
Fairbanks school district and board,=: How stupid can you get?
He is an idiot plus he can’t stop Federal Officers if there is probable cause. which there would be or they wouldn’t be there.
Virtue Signaling. What a waste of time. Deflecting from the mismanagement and malfeasance of the administration and school board of the school district.
The two board members that are mentioned Tim Doran and Bobby Burgess are very stupid. Tim Doran was principal at a couple of schools and he brought the homesexual curriculum when he was in the School Administration when he introduced the curriculum. Tim claimed to teach civics to news school board members as they come on board. Bobby Burgess is misusing his position to oppose our president. That is called insubordination. Our schools district needs to be defunded due to this insubordination going on at the universities here and the teachers union and school administrators. Please pray for our school “mess..” The NEA has donated to these campaigns which have caused these leftists to be in office.
ICE’s “shoot to kill, ask questions later” mentality is what has caused any increased threats against them.
Yes get run over by a car or let the perp shoot first , great idea . Comply and get treated fairly , it’s a great concept that is lost on many
Yes wait until the agent is run over or shot before defending him or herself , great idea , how about comply with law enforcement ? What a concept !
” It openly acknowledges that “numerous students …. and family relationships are at risk because of their immigration status.”
Because you’re illegal and broke the law.
THE FNSB SCHOOL DISTRICT MAKING A RESOLUTION SUCH AS THIS IS BASICALY A SYBOLISM OVER SUBSTANCE STANCE AS THEY HAVE NO POWER OVER IMEGRATION OR POLICE (FEDERAL OR STATE ) NEITHER DOES THE BOUROGH . IN 2012 The Obama administration sued in federal court, claiming primarily that Arizona’s law usurped the powers of the federal government in violation of the Supremacy Clause by encroaching on federal authority to regulate immigration. THIS WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT AND REESTABLISHED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS JURISDICTION OVER THIS , SO I DARE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GET IN THE WAY OF LAWFUL WORK BY ICE
Big or Small. Deport them all.
Send Mr. Burgess and all of this ilk to Cuba. Sanctuary Cities, sanctuary States or sanctuary Schools do not work.
The Fairbanks School District apparently believe they are taking ‘brave’ and ‘resolute’ action to ‘protect’ children who have zero chance of having any type of encounter at their schools with I.C.E. agents. Feckless ‘virtue signaling’ at its very worst. Much easier to take on an issue that doesn’t exist than dealing with the less than impressive education outcomes that Fairbanks School District routinely provides. So, Fairbanks School Board members quit wasting legal resources and Board time trying to craft a totally illegal resolution that attempts to curtail federal authority to enforce federal immigration laws. You look like fools.
ICE doesn’t belong ing schools, terrorizing children of illegals and legal alike. Find their parents, don’t use children to get the parents to come in.
so the parents didn’t put their children at risk using cartels to smuggle them or march those same innocent kids through the Mexican desert to get here . Your logic is very selective
Oh pop. There is more to the stories of immigrants than your worn out fear mongering.
How can a student stay focused as you say on an education, when they know they are illegal and its only a matter of time before they are caught. so please stop blowing smoke, up our butts, we are citizens got it. as a teacher, or superintendant how dare you teach laws and america values to students only to do what your doing on the other hand. you make no sense, and should be removed from your job.
Why should we be educating these illegal kids anyway? I pay my taxes to have American children get an education. Those children should be in their
own country learning about their country’s history, laws, and values. By the way, try to be an illegal in Mexico (not that many are trying) and see if
you get anything free. They will put you in jail first as happened to my cousin. Most countries care who they let into through their borders.