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Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Tuesday morning that protections for young immigrants under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) will end in six months unless Congress acts before then.

The Obama-era executive order has protected nearly 800,000 children since 2012 who were brought to the U.S. from deportation and allowed them to work legally in the U.S.

LA Unified Superintendent Michelle King and school board members released a statement decrying the Trump Administration’s announcement and urged Congress to establish permanent protections for the young people. It is estimated that about one-quarter of LA Unified students are undocumented or their parents are undocumented. They reiterated that LA Unified campuses are “safe zones” for undocumented students and their families. 

“I am concerned by this decision and its long-term impacts on the students, families, and employees of L.A. Unified,” King said. “These young immigrants have made valuable contributions to the community and the nation they consider their home, and they have earned the right to a permanent place in its history.

“We urge our lawmakers to act with urgency in resolving this issue and extending permanent protections to Dreamers,” she said. “The District will continue to embrace the values and principles of inclusion, and to provide a supportive teaching and learning environment that encourages achievement and success.”

“Dreamers, whether they are students or teachers, have worked hard to contribute to this beautiful country and city. They should be celebrated, not turned away,” school board President Ref Rodriguez said. “We are committed to strong advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels, so that Congress will find the courage to reverse this decision.”

Read our story in Spanish here.  Check back to laschoolreport.com later today for more.