Squamish’s school board is discussing ways to keep the town’s schools open to everyone, regardless of their immigration status.
In a recent meeting, the board heard about New Westminster’s sanctuary school policy, which promises schooling to students who live in the city even if they have “precarious immigration status or no immigration status” in Canada.
“There’s no doubt at all that we would be very eager to remove any barriers to children attending school,” said Rick Price, chair of Squamish’s school board.
The talks come at a time when immigration and race politics have become very contentious.
South of the border, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed bans on immigrants from several countries, while in B.C. anti-Chinese flyers have been spotted in the Lower Mainland over the last several months.
A recent shooting in a Quebec mosque that left several dead has also served as a disturbing reminder of anti-Muslim sentiment.
In Squamish, a swastika was found painted on Don Ross Middle School, and The Chief has reported a Jamaican-Canadian teen was the target of racist verbal and online abuse.
At the moment, it remains unclear if there are any children in town who would benefit from a sanctuary school policy.
The board is asking the schools for more information, and will review possible responses depending on how many students are at risk of missing school due to their immigration status.
If no students are found to be affected, it is probable the board will not consider any further action because, by default, those with precarious immigration status are allowed to attend class, Price said.
“Our school act in B.C. says that any child who is normally resident in our school district is entitled to come to school,” he said.
“It makes no mention of their immigration or citizenship status.”
However, if students are affected, the board will consider options such as outreach programs to reassure parents their children will be able to attend class.
If there are a enough children with precarious immigration status in the area, the board may consider a sanctuary school policy similar to that of New Westminster.
Earlier this month, New Westminster’s schools approved a sanctuary school policy, which will affect anyone with less than full immigration status. This can include temporary workers, asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.
Among other things, the policy states that unless the law requires it, immigration authorities will not be allowed on school grounds, nor will they be given access to students’ information.
Similar policies have been enacted across North America.
Places such as Montreal and San Francisco have designated themselves as sanctuary cities.
This would allow non-status immigrants full access of city services.
Some immigrant rights groups have called the move a largely symbolic one, saying that it doesn’t go far enough to guarantee the rights of undocumented immigrants while providing a false sense of security.
