The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) is taking steps to protect its vulnerable student populations in response to heightened political tensions. During a recent board meeting, district officials discussed a new resolution aimed at reassuring undocumented students and others who may be affected by changing national policies.
With immigration and LGBTQ+ rights emerging as key issues in the national political landscape, some BVSD students and families have expressed anxiety about the impact of the Trump administration’s policies. In response, the BVSD board has proposed a resolution that reaffirms the district’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable groups using all available legal protections. The board is expected to vote on the resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
This proposed resolution follows similar actions by the district in the past. In 2016, BVSD board member Richard Garcia introduced a resolution addressing concerns about “post-election fears,” emphasizing the district’s anti-discrimination policies. Since then, the board has passed similar resolutions following each election to address community concerns regarding campaign rhetoric.
“People are asking, ‘Is this a safe place? What support is available? How can our schools protect students from restrictive policies or targeted groups?’” said BVSD board member Jorge Chavez at a November 19 meeting.
While BVSD does not collect data on students’ immigration status, the district serves a diverse community. About 30% of students are from minority backgrounds, with 66% identifying as white, 20% as Hispanic, 6% as biracial, 5% as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 1% as African American.
The district also runs a Newcomer Program for students who are recent immigrants and have limited English proficiency. As of late November, around 790 students were enrolled in this program, which saw significant growth last year, with 469 students joining in the first half of 2023. Boulder High and Centaurus High School are among the locations that host the program.
In February, BVSD collaborated with the Colorado Department of Education to share best practices for supporting immigrant students. The Newcomer Program, which includes students from various backgrounds, saw an influx of migrant students in 2023, coinciding with a surge in border crossings.
The upcoming district resolution is expected to highlight established legal rights, such as the constitutional right to equal protection. In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states cannot deny public education based on a student’s immigration status.
BVSD offers several programs for its Hispanic and English Language Learner (ELL) students, who make up a significant portion of the district’s population. The district operates six dual-language schools, where students learn in both Spanish and English, and Boulder High has one of the largest English Language Development programs in the area. Whittier Elementary also serves a diverse population of students from 35 countries.
At the November board meeting, members discussed ways to address community concerns, including connecting families with existing resources. Board member Jorge Chavez noted that some students and families are already feeling the effects of political uncertainty, with concerns about school safety and support services.
Federal Immigration Laws and Local Jurisdiction
The political climate around immigration has become more contentious since Donald Trump’s election campaign, which focused on stricter immigration policies and mass deportations. During his campaign, Trump described his plan for mass deportations as “Operation Aurora,” using examples of alleged violence involving Venezuelan migrants to rally support.
In response to concerns over possible mass deportations, BVSD board member Lalenia Quinlan Aweida emphasized the importance of local leaders clarifying the distinction between federal immigration enforcement and local law enforcement responsibilities.
“Differentiating between law enforcement and immigration enforcement is key to making people feel more secure,” said Quinlan Aweida.
City and county officials have assured residents that local authorities will not be involved in federal immigration enforcement. Sarah Huntley, a spokesperson for the City of Boulder, reiterated the city’s commitment to being a welcoming community and emphasized that city employees will not inquire about residents’ immigration status or deny access to services based on it. She also confirmed that Boulder police are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws.
“The Boulder Police Department enforces local and state laws,” Huntley said. “Immigration enforcement is not within its purview.”
Similarly, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson stated that immigration enforcement falls under federal jurisdiction, not local authorities. “We do not seek the authority to enforce immigration laws,” Johnson said, emphasizing the Sheriff’s Office’s focus on building trust within immigrant communities.
As the political climate continues to shift, the Boulder Valley School District and local officials are working to ensure that immigrant students and their families feel safe and supported in the community.
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