Whereas, on January 10, 2017, the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) passed RESOLUTION #2016-17.06, which declares, inter alia, that “principals and school staff shall work with and support families and students who express concern about immigration enforcement actions at school, including students who may not be attending school because of such concerns” and that “PAUSD should be considered sanctuaries for students;” and

Whereas, on December 12, 2016, Palo Alto City Council passed Resolution 9653 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto, Colleagues’ Memo Reaffirming Palo Alto’s Commitment to a Diverse, Supportive, Inclusive, and Protective Community,” which declares that “The City of Palo Alto recognizes, values, and will proactively work to ensure the rights and privileges of everyone living, working, or visiting in Palo Alto, regardless of religion, ancestry, country of birth, immigration status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity;” and

Whereas, in January 1994 and reaffirmed in July 2012, the California State PTA adopted a position statement entitled “Services for Children of Undocumented Immigrants” stating that it “believes all children who reside in California, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, have the right of access to a quality public education, adequate food and shelter, and basic health services … [and] that it is in the interest of all Californians to ensure that all children, including the children of undocumented immigrants, have the opportunity to reach their full potential and become productive members of society;”

Therefore be it Resolved, that the Palo Alto Council of Parent Teacher Associations (PTAC) fully supports undocumented students and/or family members that may be undocumented, and encourages all relevant local authorities to work to ensure that these students and their families feel secure and safe while at school, and that they are supported and encouraged in their academic and school-related extracurricular activities;

Resolved, that the Palo Alto PTAC encourages both PAUSD and Palo Alto City Council to compile and make available lists of relevant non-profit resources for undocumented immigrants to ensure that undocumented students and families are aware of their rights.