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We are living in unprecedented times. Our nation is hurting. The immigration and customs enforcement happening at schools - places that were once considered sensitive locations —is deeply troubling. Events in Minnesota, California, Illinois, Washington, DC, Texas, New York, and across the country, as well as news of young children being sent away to detention centers thousands of miles away from their homes are causing uncertainty and fear within our community. 

We want to acknowledge the families and children in our school community who may be directly impacted by the presence of immigration and customs enforcement in our region. We see you and want you to know that your child(ren) will always be welcomed at Loyal Heights Elementary. As you may know, our PTA passed a resolution in June 2025 reaffirming our commitment to welcoming all students regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or citizenship status. Today, more than ever, we stand by this commitment. 

We are deeply concerned that current immigration enforcement tactics used by federal agents are undermining our children’s ability to learn, impacting classroom environments, and causing unnecessary trauma. There is no question that these tactics diminish the educational experience for ALL students.    

Our PTA remains committed to advocate for the right of every child to attend school without fear. Education is a constitutional right in Washington State, and we will continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the educational welfare of every child to ensure all students can learn and thrive in a safe and supporting environment. 

With that said, please understand that the PTA is also navigating the complexities of being a nonprofit (and therefore a nonpartisan) organization. See WSPTA Statement on Immigration. We acknowledge that members of our community may want to take individual action to help their friends and neighbors. The PTA cannot endorse those activities; however, we can share resources, send “Know Your Rights” information, collaborate with the school district, and continue advocating at the federal and state levels to protect the rights of immigrant families and children to access education and other basic services. Please take a few minutes to review the resources available in the legislative page of our PTA website. 

We urge you to remain engaged and communicate often with the PTA and school administration during these challenging times. You can reach us directly at legislative@loyalheightspta.org if you have any questions. We value your continued support. Together, we stand strong.

Respectfully,
The Legislative & Advocacy Committee, 
Loyal Heights Elementary PTA