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Tuesday, the Trump administration announced its intent to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, by March 5, 2018.

Minutes later Superintendent Aurora Lora issued a statement in response intended to reassure the district’s Hispanic students and parents.

“You are valued. You are welcome. You are safe,” Lora wrote in the message.

Students from Hispanic culture make up 54 percent of the district’s student body according to district spokesperson Beth Harrison.

The district previously provided an information document on its website titled “What you need to know about immigration, discrimination, and your rights at OKCPS.” It was updated after the announcement Tuesday.

This is the whole of the message issued by district email in English and Spanish at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday.

(English)

As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant who came to this country for the American dream, I stand with countless governors, mayors, state legislators, local elected officials, businesses, law enforcement professionals, school leaders and faith-based and civic leaders to support DACA recipients, recognizing their incredible contributions to our schools, workplaces and communities. Ending DACA protections will be a devastating blow to our many students and staff members who came to this country as children.

OKCPS remains committed to providing an environment where all students feel safe and have a positive educational experience. I want to send a clear message to OKCPS students, families and staff: You are valued. You are welcome. You are safe. I urge our federal leaders to come to a swift, bipartisan solution to provide a pathway for our Dreamers to continue to contribute to their classrooms and jobs in the only home many of them have known.

– Superintendent Aurora Lora

Oklahoma City Public Schools

(Spanish)

Como hija de un inmigrante mexicano que vino a este país para realizar el sueño americano, soy solidaria con innumerables gobernadores, alcaldes, legisladores estatales, funcionarios electos locales, empresas, profesionales de la ley, líderes escolares y líderes religiosos y cívicos para apoyar beneficiarios de DACA, reconociendo sus increíbles contribuciones a nuestras escuelas, lugares de trabajo y comunidades. Terminar las protecciones de DACA será un golpe devastador para muchos de nuestros estudiantes y miembros del personal que vinieron a este país como niños.

OKCPS sigue comprometido a proporcionar un ambiente donde todos los estudiantes se sientan seguros y tengan una experiencia educativa positiva. Quiero enviar un mensaje claro a los estudiantes, familias y personal de OKCPS: Usted es apreciado. Usted es bienvenido. Usted está a salvo aquí. Exhorto a nuestros líderes federales a llegar a una solución rápida y bipartidista para proporcionar un camino para que nuestros Dreamers sigan contribuyendo a sus salones de clase y trabajos en el único hogar que muchos de ellos han conocido.

– Superintendente Aurora Lora

Oklahoma City Public Schools