Los Angeles schools to give students 'Know Your Rights' cards

(The Center Square) — The Los Angeles Unified School District announced this week it will distribute “Know Your Rights” cards to students amid heightened immigration enforcement.

At the annual Opening of Schools Address at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, LAUSD board President Scott Schmerelson told the audience that he recognized there has been rising stress levels among students, due to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.

“As we return to schools to prepare for the new school year, we know many of our students are facing unprecedented stress levels,” Schmerelson said. “Some fear their loved ones may not even be home when they return.”

Schmerelson explained that as a way to ensure safety and protection, the district will distribute “Know Your Rights” cards to students so they can be better equipped to respond to possible ICE enforcement.

The National Immigration Law Center’s website explains that if students are stopped by immigration authorities, they can hand the “Know Your Rights” card to the agent and remain silent.

“If immigration comes to your home, slip this card under the door or hold it up to the window. Do not open the door,” the website states. “Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.”

The NILC encourages students to print the card and put it in their wallet.

Once given to immigration or other police officers, the card states, “I am exercising my constitutional rights under the fourth and fifth Amendment. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I refuse to sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first. I do not give you permission to enter my home.”

LAUSD is not requiring students to have this card, but it's available if students want it.

“We, along with community partners, make the cards available to students and families to reference if they choose,” a Los Angeles Unified spokesperson told The Center Square.

The “Know Your Rights” card is translated into eight languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Spanish.

“We know every child has a constitutional right to a quality education, regardless of their immigration status,” Schmerelson said. “Our schools are a safe haven where our students can learn without fear. That is our guiding light.”

The Center Square reported that two laws — California Values Act, also known as Senate Bill 54, and Assembly Bill 699 — restrict school personnel from assisting ICE in immigration enforcement without a court order.