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Resources for Immigration Support

*If you know of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents or green card holders still in Afghanistan, please access these three resources:

  1. Repatriation Form
  2. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is also collecting this information, so please go here. 
  3. The Department of Defense (DoD) has established an Afghanistan NEO Call Center (ANCC) to assist with logistics. Call the department at 1-703-693-0799.

 

SCHOOLS SAFE FROM NEW FEDERAL IMMIGRATION REGULATION

Schools and school nutrition programs remain unaffected by recent changes to a federal regulation, known as the “Public Charge” rule, regarding an individual’s immigration status, according to a September 16, 2019 announcement from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

The National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Seamless Summer Option, Afterschool Meal Supplement, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program are not considered public benefits that could impact an individual’s immigration status.

The “Public Charge” rule, which goes into effect in mid-October, penalizes immigrants who receive certain public benefits, according to the CDE press release. Public education is not a public benefit covered by the rule.

Resources are available at the California Immigrant Guide web page at https://immigrantguide.ca.gov/en/publiccharge/.
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Additional resources and information that you may use to communicate with families in your district are available on the California Department of Education’s Safe Havens Initiative web page at https://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/safehavens.asp.

 

RESOURCES FOR IMMIGRATION SUPPORT

Message from Our Superintendent, Cheryl Jordan:

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There are times in our history when greater understanding and care for one another resulted from discord in society.  This year’s election process and presidential inauguration is one of those moments, what Jack Weinstein (Senior Program Advisor at Facing History and Ourselves, and former educational leader at MHS) calls a “flashpoint” in time.  It is neither about good nor bad, right nor wrong, it is an opportunity for us to guide our youth in learning how to use civil dialogue to express their feelings, questions and wonderings about what they read on social media, hear in the news, in our community, and from one another.  It is not a time to argue, it is a time to listen, seek understanding, empathize, and be connected to one another.  
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In these uncertain times for our families who have immigrated to Milpitas, our employees continue to stand UNIFIED in our commitment to work together and show that Milpitas values every single student, regardless of background, experience, and views. We have increased our efforts in creating a Culture of We so that our students feel that they belong, and can continue to learn in a safe environment. Students are encouraged to talk about their feelings with trusted adults, including principals, counselors, and teachers. Parents and guardians are important partners, and we are working diligently to remind them that all children, regardless of immigration status, have a constitutional right to attend our schools.

​Message from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson regarding California Dream Act Application:

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and the California Department of Education (CDE) understand that, in light of the current political climate, there is still confusion regarding the California Dream Act program, which allows certain undocumented and out-of-state students (dreamer students) to receive state financial aid while attending college in California. The California Dream Act is a state law,
separate and distinct from the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Despite what is happening at the federal level, state financial aid for dreamer students remains legal in California. A dreamer student does not need to be DACA-certified to be eligible for a public education or state financial aid. With or without DACA status, a dreamer student will continue to have access to most state financial aid.

​Click here to view more.

 

 

RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Clean roomSanta Clara County stands with immigrant families. The Rapid Response Network in Santa Clara County (RRN) is a community defense project developed to protect immigrant families from deportation threats from the federal administration, and to provide moral and accompaniment support during and after immigration operations in our community. It is a 24/7 hotline that community members can call to report any ICE operations in our county and receive help in real life time! 
Who can call this line: 
Any concerned community member that witnesses immigration enforcement activity in Santa Clara County can call the hotline number 24/7. Please note this is not a general information line, if you need general immigration services contact a community-based organization in your area.
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When you call the RRN line: 
The dispatcher that received the call will support the community member in asserting their rights, and will dispatch trained Rapid Responders to the impacted site.
If immigration enforcement is confirmed, the Rapid Responders will conduct legal observation, collect evidence that may support the immigration case of the impacted family, and provide moral support and accompaniment to the impacted family. If a community member is detained, we will connect them with immigration attorneys for legal counsel and provide accompaniment support. We want to make sure no community member must go through this on their own.

This is a collaborative project led by Sacred Heart Community Service, PACT, Pangea Legal Services, LUNA, SIREN, CARAS, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, the South Bay Labor Council, the City of San Jose Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations.

 

INTRODUCTION

The following resources, which the Milpitas Unified School District has compiled to assist our families and schools, are not meant to be exhaustive, nor is their inclusion an endorsement of a particular political viewpoint. ​