Image from Fremont Unified School District
Numerous students in the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) experience stress and worry because of growing immigration enforcement activities throughout the country. To protect families, the district has established a new policy designating every school building as a “Safe Haven,” meaning campuses are protected places where immigration officers cannot enter without a judicial warrant.
California law requires schools to provide equal education access to every student, regardless of immigration status. To strengthen this, Fremont Unified has begun distributing “Red Cards” that outline key rights, such as:
- The right to remain silent,
- The right to refuse entry without a judicial warrant, and
- The right to speak with an attorney before answering questions.
These cards are printed in multiple languages so families can understand and use them. Along with this, the district offers legal workshops and mental health counseling to help support immigrant students and their families.
Sophomore Alessandra Ralda, a student at Washington High School, explained the emotional toll that fears of deportation bring: “Fear of deportation can make students feel very worried, scared, and sad,” she said. “It can badly impact your sleep schedule, leading to sleepless nights and trouble focusing in class.”
She added that parents sometimes fear sending their children to school, which leads to lower attendances and grades. “Teachers and school staff can help by reminding students of their rights and what to do in case they are put in a hard situation regarding their migratory status,” she said.
Another Washington High Sophomore, Arshdeep Kaur, pointed out how deportation devastates families: “The ones who have been deported lost everything — their entire life’s worth of hard work,” she said. “Kids deserve education, and schools should do everything to protect them.”
The Fremont Unified School District is using these resources and policies to safeguard immigrant students, reduce fear, and ensure that school remains a safe and supportive environment for learning.
Shalvi Saket is a junior at Washington High School. She grew up in India and moved to Fremont just a year ago. This is her first year with The Hatchet, where she looks forward to covering topics related to art. In her free time, she enjoys singing and previously spent time roller skating. Shalvi’s biggest dream is to become a vocalist and build a successful career in the music industry, whether through social media or industry connections. At the same time, she hopes to attend UCLA as a backup plan to pursue her education while working toward her goals.