Safe Haven District

At Sacramento City Unified, nothing matters more to us than the success and safety of our students. Since 2017, SCUSD has proudly called itself a Safe Haven School District – a title that reflects our unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of all students no matter their immigration status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sex and gender identity, socio-economic status or beliefs. 

What does it mean to be a Safe Haven School District?

The title demonstrates to families our commitment to following the law by providing a safe and welcoming environment where every student has the right to receive a high quality education and necessary support, regardless of their immigration status. 

Why is SCUSD a Safe Haven School District?

SCUSD recognizes the fear and anxiety that permeates our community, particularly among immigrant populations. By proclaiming ourselves a Safe Haven, we hope to alleviate some of those concerns and encourage the families of immigrant students to participate fully in their school community.

Does this mean we will not allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement agencies to come to our schools?

No. The District will comply with any law enforcement agency that presents a valid court order or warrant to school site administration. Access will be limited to the people and areas specified by the order. However, the SCUSD Board of Education has made it clear that immigration enforcement is not allowed on our campuses unless a valid court order is presented.

Does Sacramento City Unified collect and share information such as immigration status?

No. The school district does not ask families for proof of citizenship or other immigration related documentation. Additionally, federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information. These laws generally require that schools obtain written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.

On September 20, 2025, two new state laws designed to protect immigrant families and safeguard school campuses from immigration enforcement actions. 

Assembly Bill 49 and Senate Bill 98 are intended to ensure: 

• Immigration authorities cannot access non-public areas of school campuses without a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order. 
• Immediate communication to families and school communities if immigration enforcement agents are present at a schoolsite. 

On December 8, 2016 the SCUSD Board of Education voted unanimously to safeguard students and families. 

Whereas, The Sacramento City Unified School Board of Education is committed to the success of all students irrespective of their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, sex and gender identity, socio-economic status or beliefs.

Whereas, The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America recognizes every individual’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

Whereas, The United States of America was built by diverse peoples, both native and immigrant alike;

Whereas, Education has played a critical role in furthering tolerance and strengthening our society;

Whereas, On November 8, 2016, voters in California and across the nation participated in the democratic process by casting votes;

Whereas, California voters during the 2016 General election expressed strong support for public schools by embracing bilingual education through Proposition 58, strengthening funding sources through Proposition 55, and modernizing school facilities through Proposition 51, and;

Whereas, The University of California, Los Angeles’ Civil Rights Project found Sacramento to be the most racially/ethnically integrated major city in the United States and Sacramento City Unified School District was praised as having the most integrated large public school district in the state.

Whereas, Forty-eight different languages are spoken in Sacramento City Unified School District schools including, Spanish, Hmong, Armenian, Korean, Tagalog, Cantonese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Russian;

Whereas, 17,104 of 43,082 students in Sacramento City Unified are of Latino/a descent, 34,896 are students of color, and more than 64 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch;

Whereas, The national presidential election has resulted in thousands of students and families in Sacramento expressing fear, sadness and concerns for student safety, heightened because of intolerant rhetoric made over the course of the 2016 presidential race;

Whereas, Youth and families across the district have already experienced increased levels of hate speech based on their ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation since the election; now, therefore, be it,

Resolved, That the Sacramento City Unified School Board of Education directs the Superintendent to support the creation of a safe haven school district. This status shall include:

• Promoting tolerance and acceptance over hate speech;
• Maintaining that, in compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 2011 policy stating that it will not conduct immigration enforcement activity at any sensitive location, which includes all district facilities and equipment, without permission by specific federal law enforcement officials; unless exigent circumstances exist; ICE shall not be allowed to enter school sites or district properties without prior written approval from the Superintendent.
• Restricting the sharing of student files that may be used to ascertain the legal status of students;
•  Designating SCUSD school sites, facilities, and equipment as safe havens for students, families and the community;
• Allocating adequate resources necessary to support diversity, inclusion, and the values of a multicultural society;
• Hosting a day of understanding across the District;
• Offering focused professional development opportunities for all levels of staff;
• Endorsing a set of unifying activities determined by the school site;
• Develop and implement a plan, in consultation with stakeholder groups, to fulfill the requirements outlined within this resolution and report back to the Board at the first Board meeting in February.

Resolved further,  That the Sacramento City Unified School Board work closely with the City, County and other state and local municipalities and community organizations to ensure our students and families are offered a protected space;

Resolved further, That along with the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education will submit a joint letter to the President-Elect, with the Superintendent, as well as any District students, families, staff, and community partners who would like to be added as signatories, affirming that the American ideals that are celebrated in Sacramento culture contain a number of core ideals and values that include liberty, equality, democracy, individualism, equity, unity, and diversity and we will continue to celebrate them;

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirms its focus on promoting and elevating tolerance, inclusiveness and kindness of all students, families and staff at all district school sites, facilities and material property;

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirm the authority of the Superintendent to protect the data and identities of any student, family member, or school employee who may be adversely affected by any future policies or executive action that results in the collection of any personally identifiable information to the fullest extent provided by the law; and, be it finally

Resolved further, That the Board shall not allow ICE agents on school sites, facilities or material property without receiving prior written approval from the Superintendent;

Resolved further, That the Board reaffirms Sacramento City Unified School District’s unequivocal commitment to ensuring a safe educational environment for all students, serving as a safe haven school district for students and families threatened by immigration enforcement or discrimination, to the fullest extent provided by the law.

PDF versions of this resolution is available under the Downloads section in all of SCUSD’s threshold languages. 

On January 18, 2018 the SCUSD Board of Education voted to expand SCUSD’s Safe Haven efforts. 

WHEREAS, on December 8, 2016 the SCUSD Board of Education declared Sacramento City Unified School District a Safe Haven by unanimously approving Resolution No. 2915: Recognition of A Safe Haven School District;

WHEREAS, the focus of the resolution is to safeguard students and families from the climate of fear and intolerance that ensued following the 2016 presidential election;

WHEREAS, the Board of Education launched a districtwide campaign in which materials and workshops were shared and promoted to empower students, educators and families with information on their legal rights and direct them to resources;

WHEREAS, policies and protocols were reviewed, updated and developed that further secured any personally identifiable information of any student, family member, or school employee who may be adversely effected by any current or future national policies or executive actions;

WHEREAS, events and displays focused on tolerance and inclusivity will continue across the District;

WHEREAS, Sacramento City Unified School District has been widely recognized by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and others across the state as a Safe Haven model because of these efforts;

WHEREAS, the District and its partners remain unequivocally committed to offering increased Safe Haven protections that ensure all students, families, and staff members—irrespective of their immigration status, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability, sex and gender identity and preference, socio-economic status or beliefs—an educational environment free from fear;

WHEREAS, the District and its partners, in today’s uncertain national climate, recognize the need for a continued focus on creating a Safe Haven for students, families, and staff by developing additional policies related to further outlining the restrictions on immigration enforcement activities, and increasing investments for immigration-related sponsorship, employment, and other support opportunities for current and future district staff;

WHEREAS, the District also seeks to encompass a broader set of Safe Haven protections to include a greater number of students’ civil rights by undertaking future policy work around student contact with law enforcement on campus, and student questioning and apprehension;

WHEREAS, the District has already undertaken significant efforts around the restriction of federal enforcement of immigration on campus with the passage of the December 2016 Safe Haven Resolution, protocols developed in partnership with the Sacramento City Teachers Association, and the initial drafting of a Board Policy based on sample policy language offered by the American Civil Liberties Union; and

WHEREAS, The Sacramento City Unified School Board recognizes the expertise and importance of engaging community advocacy groups and partners to develop robust localized policies that best benefit our students, families and staff.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Sacramento City Unified School District, in collaboration with community groups and partners, will focus on the aforementioned policy areas between now and the end of June 2018 in order to strengthen and grow Safe Haven projections for students, families and staff;

RESOLVED FURTHER, the Sacramento City Unified School Board calls upon community leaders, local advocacy groups, and partners to engage in monthly policy development dialog around the district’s Safe Haven efforts in order to develop thoughtful and impactful policies that will build upon the Safe Haven work previously completed; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Policy Committee of the Sacramento City Unified School Board will host monthly meetings where advocacy groups and partners are invited to help steer the direction of future Safe Haven policy within the district.

PDF versions of this resolution is available under the Downloads section.

Resolution No. 2915

English | Spanish | Hmong | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese

Resolution No. 2980

English | Spanish | Hmong | Chinese | Russian | Vietnamese

Red Cards

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.

Visit the ILRC’s website to download red cards. 

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