School board to support students here illegally

Unanimous resolution states all are entitled to a public education.

The Austin school board Monday night unanimously approved 9-0 a resolution in support of students who are unauthorized immigrants.

The resolution says all students are entitled to a public education, and that Austin schools and classrooms are welcoming, inclusive places for all students and families, “regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parents.”

The district also pledges in the resolution to create an environment “free of insecurity and fear, for all its employees, students and their families, regardless of immigration status.”

Multiple other Texas school districts, including the Houston and San Antonio districts, have passed similar resolutions.

“We are choosing as a district to be a light,” said Trustee Jayme Mathias, “to be a light and to stand on the side of our immigrant students and employees and families in proclaiming our schools to be places where we want all of our students and all of our employees and all of our families to feel safe.”

Prior to the vote, and earlier in the evening during a press conference, Superintendent Paul Cruz did not specifically mention unauthorized immigrant students or the recent immigration enforcement operation in Austin.

“I want to reiterate that our