Phoenix School District Offers Online Learning to Families Fearing Immigration Enforcement

PXU sends letter to mixed-status families amid concerns over ICE crackdowns

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:07pm

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The Phoenix Union High School District has sent a letter to families with mixed immigration status, reminding them of the option for online-only learning at the district's Phoenix Digital Academy. This comes amid widespread uncertainty and fear among these families about potential immigration enforcement actions, which have led to some students missing school out of concern.

Why it matters

The letter highlights the challenges faced by mixed-status immigrant families in accessing education, as fears of ICE crackdowns have caused some students to avoid in-person schooling. The district's response aims to ensure these students can continue their education despite the climate of uncertainty.

The details

The letter from PXU Superintendent Thea Andrade was sent over the weekend, specifically reminding mixed-status families about the online learning option. This follows concerns expressed by the Arizona Latino School Board Association about students and parents being "afraid" and "suddenly disappearing from classrooms" due to immigration enforcement worries. The district says the Phoenix Digital Academy has been an existing option, but the letter was intended to address the "fears or uncertainty around in-person learning" among these families.

  • PXU sent the letter to mixed-status families on Friday, January 24, 2026.
  • President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term, leading many local school districts to update their policies on immigration enforcement.

The players

Thea Andrade

Superintendent of the Phoenix Union High School District.

Martin Quezada

Board member with the Arizona Latino School Board Association.

Estaban Flemons

President of the PXU Classroom Teachers' Association.

Phoenix Union High School District

A school district in Phoenix, Arizona that serves a diverse student population, including many families with mixed immigration status.

Arizona Latino School Board Association

An organization that advocates for the educational needs of Latino students and families in Arizona.

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What they’re saying

“Kids are afraid, their parents are afraid, and kids are suddenly disappearing from classrooms at times when they are caught up in that enforcement situation.”

— Martin Quezada, Board member, Arizona Latino School Board Association (abc15.com)

“Just had a member email today saying her student, she's at one of our alternative schools, and one of her students who's just getting back on track to graduate has not been there in the last week because she's so scared of what may happen.”

— Estaban Flemons, President, PXU Classroom Teachers' Association (abc15.com)

“At least get some sort of schooling and some sort of educational programming to continue to serve their educational needs because, otherwise, they may not get anything if they are afraid of showing up at school.”

— Martin Quezada, Board member, Arizona Latino School Board Association (abc15.com)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that ICE does not raid or target schools, and that officers would need secondary supervisor approval before taking any action at locations such as schools, which they expect to be "extremely rare." Some Valley school districts have also said they will not help federal officers unless there is a warrant, and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act prohibits them from sharing student information.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the difficult choices and fears faced by mixed-status immigrant families when it comes to their children's education. By offering the online learning option, the Phoenix Union High School District is taking steps to ensure these students can continue their studies despite the climate of uncertainty around immigration enforcement.