As federal lawmakers debate the fate of hundreds of thousands of so-called "Dreamer" immigrants, the Dallas school district launched a new web page dedicated to supporting immigrants.
The site, which is in English and Spanish, includes a resolution that designates all Dallas schools "as welcoming and protective to the fullest extent of the law." It also includes family resources such as where to find legal assistance and a template for a family emergency plan in case of deportation.
"As a member of an immigrant family, I see myself reflected in the faces of your children, and your faces are those of my parents who sacrificed, worked and dreamed of a brighter future for their children," stated Superintendent Michael Hinojosa in a letter for families. "Thus, it is heartbreaking to see the uncertainty and fear among undocumented families across the country prompted by the recent developments in the federal government's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. While DACA primarily impacts young adults, it has understandably caused anxiety throughout our community."
The Dallas school district's action comes as the fate of DACA recipients continues to dominate news from Washington, D.C. Lawmakers are trying to find a bipartisan program for immigrant Dreamers. The latter term is the name coined to immigrants who are brought to the United States as children without legal status.
President Donald Trump gave Congress until March 5 to come up with a plan to replace DACA.
In the meantime, the future of educators, who are protected by DACA, has emerged as a top concern in communities and school districts across the nation.
Last fall, experts estimated there were 8,800 educators and library workers in the United States who are teaching thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, according to the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Migration Policy Institute. There are about 690,000 DACA holders across the country.
The program started under President Barack Obama in 2012 and allowed this group of immigrants to work and study on a temporary basis without fear of deportation.
The Fort Worth school district has 76 employees who are DACA holders, including 27 teachers, according to records obtained by the Stat-Telegram through an open records request. The district has 5,816 full-time teachers, according to the 2016-2017 annual report. Staff members who participate in DACA include tutors, office assistants, family community liaisons and teacher assistants.
Last September, Superintendent Kent Scribner signaled support for immigrant students via Facebook, saying plans to phase DACA out could replace dreams with deportation.
“If the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act (DACA) is allowed to expire, it would have a devastating effect on members of the Fort Worth ISD family,” Scribner wrote in a message posted Monday night. “Current high school seniors who have college within reach could be forced to alter their post-secondary plans. Our graduates currently in college may not be able to successfully move their lives forward. The impact this decision will have on many students and their families in the Fort Worth ISD community will be far-reaching.”
The Fort Worth district school board passed a resolution in support of DACA in September. Last February, the Fort Worth school board trustees in favor of a resolution that declares the district “welcoming and safe” for all students, regardless of their immigration status.
This report contains material from the Star-Telegram archives.