The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) has joined with seven other California school districts and multiple other education agencies and institutions in a pending federal lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from ending DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). The suit asks the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing the announced decision to terminate DACA.
In a joint amicus brief filed Nov. 1, BUSD and the other educational organizations argued that rescinding DACA will “cause grievous damage to K-12 schools and students. The DHS announcement has already destabilized schools and disrupted classrooms. If implemented, the rescission will deprive districts of much-needed DACA educators. It will also deprive DACA students of invaluable opportunities to work, study, and give back to our schools and communities.”
BUSD Board President Ty Alper said, “The Trump administration’s actions and threatened actions pose a real and present danger to many of our students, staff, and their families, and they have already caused incalculable pain and anxiety in our community. We are committed to doing whatever is in our power to protect members of our community who are at risk as a result of this administration’s plan.”
The suit consolidates five closely related suits with one filed in September against DHS by the regents of the University of California. The combined plaintiffs also include the State of California, City of San Jose, County of Santa Clara, Service Employees International Union Local 521 and several individuals.
On the recommendation of Superintendent Donald Evans, the BUSD Board of Education voted unanimously on Oct. 25 to join the parties submitting the amicus brief.