Orange County School District Weighs Supporting ICE Amid Student Protests

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School Board considers resolution backing federal immigration enforcement, while also drafting policy to limit ICE access to campuses.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District in Orange County is considering two opposing actions regarding immigration enforcement. On one hand, the school board is weighing a resolution to support local law enforcement and federal immigration officers. On the other, the district is drafting a policy to prohibit immigration agents from entering non-public areas of schools or accessing student records without a court order, in compliance with a new state law.

Why it matters

This issue highlights the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement, with the school district caught in the middle. The board's proposed resolution supporting ICE comes amid student protests against deportation efforts, while the new policy aims to limit ICE's access to campuses and student information, reflecting concerns over the impacts on the school community.

The details

The school board will vote on the resolution to support law enforcement and immigration officers, which states that "classrooms are not for political activism but education" and that the board will reject "fear-mongering or politicization of public safety issues." Meanwhile, the district is drafting a policy to comply with a new state law that prohibits immigration officers from entering non-public school areas or accessing student records without a court order. This policy would also allow the superintendent to train staff on how to respond if ICE agents attempt to enter restricted areas or seek student information.

  • The school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
  • In January 2026, students across Orange County, including at El Dorado and Valencia High Schools, walked out to protest the Trump administration's immigration policies.

The players

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

A school district in Orange County, California that is considering supporting federal immigration enforcement while also drafting a policy to limit ICE's access to campuses.

Leandra Blades

A Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustee who requested the resolution to support federal immigration officers and other law enforcement.

Marilyn Anderson

A Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District trustee who directed questions about the issue to the district spokesperson.

Lorely Meza

A spokesperson for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District who stated the district aims to create a safe environment for students regardless of immigration status.

Assembly Bill 49

A California state law approved last year that prohibits school districts from allowing immigration officers to enter a bus and certain parts of a school, and requires districts to adopt similar policies by March 1, 2026.

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What’s next

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District board will vote on the resolution to support federal immigration officers and other law enforcement at their meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. The district is also drafting a policy to comply with the new state law limiting ICE's access to campuses, which must be adopted by March 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the complex and contentious nature of immigration enforcement, with the school district caught between supporting law enforcement and protecting the rights and safety of its diverse student population. The proposed actions reflect the broader political and social tensions around these issues in Orange County and across the country.