Dear FJUHSD Staff and Community,

For over a century, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) has been a cornerstone of our community, dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students. Our greatest strength lies in the collective efforts of our students, families, and staff, who contribute daily to making our district a place of learning, growth, and support. At FJUHSD, our top priority is ensuring that every student has the skills, experiences, and confidence they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. We take immense pride in fostering a culture that prioritizes not just academic achievement but also the emotional well-being, safety, and overall success of our students and staff. As laws and policies evolve at the state and federal levels, we remain committed to keeping our community informed with accurate, reliable information. We understand that changes can bring uncertainty, and we are here to address concerns and support one another through these transitions.Both the United States Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court have reaffirmed that every student, regardless of immigration status, has the right to a public education.Federal and state laws further protect the confidentiality of student information, with California providing additional safeguards for undocumented students and their families. 

What legal protections are in place for immigrant students amid changing federal policies? 

Recognizing that California is home to many families with different immigration statuses, the CA Governor’s Office launched a resource hub in January 2025 to consolidate updates and guidance on immigration-related issues. This hub includes Attorney General Bonta’s latest guidance and model policies to support California’s K-12 schools, with sections on the following topics:

• Gathering and handling student and family information
• Sharing student and family information
• Requests for access to school grounds for immigration enforcement
• Responding to the detention or deportation of a student’s family member
• Addressing hate crimes and bullying related to national origin or ethnicity

Legal protections for students

California law guarantees that all students, regardless of immigration status, are entitled to a free public education. This protection is codified in Assembly Bill 699 (2017), which established strict guidelines for schools and districts on issues such as:

• Restricting schools from permitting immigration enforcement access to campuses without a judicial warrant or court order.
• Restricting requests for Social Security numbers or immigration status unless legally required.
• Protecting the confidentiality of student information, ensuring it can only be disclosed under specific legal circumstances, such as a judicial subpoena or court order.

FJUHSD Policies & Regulations- Immigration Enforcement

 At FJUHSD, all children, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to a free public education. This is guaranteed by Federal and State law.

• All students are welcome: Schools cannot discriminate against students based on their immigration status or the status of their families.
• Schools remain a safe space: Immigration enforcement officers cannot access school campuses without a judicial warrant or court order. Any legal requests are carefully reviewed by our Office of Student Services.
• Student information is protected: Schools are not allowed to share personal student information with immigration enforcement agencies unless required by law. 

The following Board Policy and Regulation provides clear directions on how sites are to respond to immigration enforcement at school sites and events.

FJUHSD Board Policy 5145.13 and Regulation 5145.13

Resources for schools and families 

The California Attorney General has issued guidance based on two bills, the aforementioned Assembly Bill 699 and Senate Bill 54. The latter, which was passed in 2017, restricts California law enforcement from using resources to assist federal immigration enforcement, except in cases involving serious or violent felonies.

The following state resources may be useful to school and district leaders, as well as students and families.

• Immigration-Enforcement Actions at California Schools: Guide for Students and Families (2018)
• Information and resources to support newcomer students and their families
• Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) services 

Federal guidance on enrollment

The U.S. Department of Justice has similarly issued guidance with the U.S. Department of Education affirming children’s right to an education.

• Fact Sheet: Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School
• Letter from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education: School Enrollment Procedures (2014)
• Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School:
• Questions and Answers for States, School Districts and Parents (2014)