SFUSD Pushes Immigrant Students Out of Newcomer Schools
Parents of recent immigrant students at SFUSD returned from winter break to find their children abruptly transferred out of specialized newcomer programs, sometimes with only hours’ notice. The district cited “safety” concerns related to ICE as justification, but teachers weren’t informed, transition plans weren’t made, and schools designed for newcomers now sit nearly empty. At other campuses, newcomer programs face deep staffing cuts or elimination, even as students are placed in general education classrooms without adequate support.
The impact on immigrant students is severe. Losing access to specialized programs means children are taught in environments that don’t meet their language or academic needs, face disrupted routines, and lose crucial support like after-school care. For students still learning English, these sudden changes can cause setbacks academically and emotionally, leaving families to scramble while their children navigate a system that isn’t built to support them.
Neil Ballard
As strike looms, SFUSD is already undermining immigrant students
By Joe Eskenazi | January 29th, 2026 | Mission Local
