Board votes in favor of resolution to support all children regardless of immigration status

After swearing in three new board members, the Santa Barbara School Board voted unanimously in favor of a resolution in support of all students regardless of immigration status.

The moves follows other school boards in the state.

Parents packed the board meeting to watch.

Some parents and students had expressed concerns over the President-Elect’s promise to deport thousands of undocumented immigrants.

Board members said no election result can change their commitment to all students.

Before the meeting, new board member Laura Capps said, “This district needs to tell its students that they are safe and for a student to come into class and not know they are safe would be a tragic thing, so we really want to send a strong resounding message.”

Federal law guarantees all children the right to a free K-12 public education, including children brought to the United States without legal status.