SLC School District Letter and Immigration Resources
It is with great concern for our fellow community members, who are very scared and at risk from new federal immigration policies, that we share this information with you. Please share with your networks.
Dear families,
We learned tonight about new guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stating that federal immigration officers will now be allowed to enforce immigration laws in and near sensitive areas, including schools. We know this is a concern for many in our community and want you to know we are aware of this policy change.
We want to remind of you of a few important things:
1. Please know that your child – and every child, regardless of immigration status – is welcome in our schools. Undocumented children and young adults still have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
2. For many reasons, it is important for parents/guardians to make sure their own contact information and the contact information for their student’s emergency contacts is up to date. This can be done by speaking with the secretary at your student’s school. Each student should have at least two emergency contacts. These individuals do not need to be family members; they can be any trusted adult designated by the student’s parent/guardian.
3. Our schools and school district do NOT collect information related to any student or family members’ immigration status. Because we do not collect this information, it is not information we can provide to any law enforcement agency.
4. Salt Lake City School District public schools will not initiate engagement with federal immigration authorities for the purpose of sharing student information.
5. We have counselors at every one of our schools who are available to talk with your student if they experience any anxiety, stress, or fears related to the federal policy changes.
We remain committed to providing an equitable, inclusive, supportive learning environment to every student.
Sincerely,
Salt Lake City School District
RESOURCES:
Read up on recent posts here
About us:
Allow us to reintroduce ourselves
We are the Westside Coalition (WSC)–an advocacy and community building organization comprised of Salt Lake City’s westside residents and business owners. We live, work, and play in Fairpark, Glendale, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, Rose Park and Westpointe- the neighborhoods of Salt Lake City’s westside. The area includes both urban and rural segments of the Jordan River Parkway, a diverse array of restaurants to please any palette, an unmatched entrepreneurial atmosphere, a budding arts scene, and wonderful parks and green space. It is home to unique neighborhoods with diverse and hardworking residents. We are an inclusive and welcoming community where individuals and families can work, play, grow, and succeed together.
We believe our neighborhoods are the best in the city, and we know they’re exploding with potential. We are proud of what we have built together and excited about the unique opportunities in front of us. Along with those opportunities, however, come challenges and the risk of exploitation. Our best chance to navigate the path ahead is by working together and speaking with one voice on the issues that impact us all.
The WSC’s mission is to advocate for the health, safety, and quality of life of Westside Salt Lake City residents. Recently, the WSC’s board expanded to 18 members including elected community council chairs, appointed community representatives, and elected “at large” members. In the coming months, we will be engaging with our neighbors, identifying our community’s top priorities, and determining the next steps to move the Westside forward. We will be working with government and community leaders to address today’s challenges while developing a more equitable future. We will build on past successes and learn from past mistakes. The WSC Board meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm at NeighborWorks and online over Zoom. You can find the links on our events calendar. We hope you will join us in our mission to unite, promote, and defend Salt Lake’s amazing Westside neighborhoods.