Placentia School District Weighs Stance on Immigration Enforcement

Community members express anger over proposed resolution supporting immigration enforcement on campuses.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in California faced backlash from the community after proposing a resolution that would have stated the district supports immigration enforcement. After hearing public comments from outraged community members, the school district decided against moving ahead with the resolution. However, a motion that states school staff would not interfere with immigration actions on campuses remains on the table.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement and the role of schools in protecting undocumented students and families. The proposed resolution sparked concerns that it could make immigrant students and families feel unsafe on campus, undermining the school district's responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.

The details

More than 50 speakers signed up to address the school board, with the majority opposing the proposed resolution. Some parents argued the district should respect all laws and law enforcement, while others criticized the motion and called for the resignation of trustee Leandra Blades, who supported the measure. Blades said the intention was to show support for law enforcement, and that the language about staff not interfering with immigration actions was part of another new policy mandated by state law.

  • The school board meeting took place on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The school board voted to issue a statement in support of all law enforcement, and gave first approval to the language about staff not interfering with immigration actions, which will be voted on again at a meeting next month.

The players

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

The school district that was considering a resolution supporting immigration enforcement on campuses.

Leandra Blades

A trustee on the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District board who supported the proposed resolution.

Heaven Casey

A parent in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District who spoke out against the proposed resolution, arguing that it would make children feel unsafe.

Vance Stubbs

A parent in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District who spoke in support of the proposed resolution, arguing that the district should respect all laws and law enforcement.

Bethany Anderson

An immigration attorney who criticized trustee Leandra Blades and called for her resignation if she could not uphold her duty to protect all students.

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What they’re saying

“We are responsible for these children, and without the safety net that we have within this school district, these children are not going to feel safe.”

— Heaven Casey, PYLUSD parent (nbclosangeles.com)

“Parents deserve to know our district will not pick and choose which laws or officers it respects.”

— Vance Stubbs, PYLUSD parent (nbclosangeles.com)

“Ms. Blades, if you cannot uphold your duty to protect all students and follow the law, you should resign immediately.”

— Bethany Anderson, immigration attorney (nbclosangeles.com)

“We're not going to have employees that are going to impede or block or cause an even bigger situation. We want law enforcement to be on our campuses to keep our students safe.”

— Leandra Blades, PYLUSD trustee (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

The school board will vote again next month on the policy that states school staff will not interfere with immigration actions on campuses.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the delicate balance schools must strike between supporting law enforcement and protecting the safety and well-being of all students, including undocumented immigrants. The strong community response demonstrates the deep concerns around immigration enforcement in schools and the need for inclusive policies that foster a sense of safety and belonging for all students.