Greetings, High Tech High Family.

At High Tech High, our mission is to ensure that every student is well-known and that our schools remain safe, welcoming havens where learning is the priority. We are writing to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting all students and families, regardless of immigration status, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or mental or physical ability.

As we enter 2026, we recognize the heightened anxiety caused by the increase in immigration enforcement. While HTH has had protections in place since 2017, with updated safeguards in early 2025, California has enacted groundbreaking laws to strengthen the “Safe Haven” protections of our campuses. Below is an update on how we are implementing these laws and the specific protocols HTH has in place to ensure your family’s safety.

New California Protections for 2026

Governor Newsom recently signed a series of bills that provide mandatory protections for all California public schools:

• California Safe Haven Schools Act (AB 49): Effective January 1, 2026, school employees are strictly prohibited from allowing immigration enforcement officers into nonpublic areas of our campus (such as classrooms or offices) unless they provide a valid judicial warrant issued by a judge.
• The SAFE Act (SB 98): We are now legally required to immediately notify all students, parents, and staff if the presence of immigration enforcement is confirmed on any HTH campus.
• Family Preparedness Plan Act (AB 495): This law encourages and empowers families to nominate a temporary guardian or caregiver to care for their children in the devastating event a parent is detained or deported, ensuring your child remains in a stable and familiar environment. We are asking that you please update this information in Powerschool. If you do not know how, please contact your student’s school’s site manager. 

Our Protocol: Responding to Immigration Enforcement

High Tech High maintains a strict “Closed Campus” policy. If an immigration agent arrives at an HTH site, our staff is trained to follow these immediate steps:

1. Immediate Notification: The staff member will immediately notify their School Director and/or Dean, who will alert the CEO and General Counsel.
2. Identification Check: Per AB 49, HTH staff will request valid identification from the officer.
3. Warrant Review: Officers will be asked to wait off-site, while their warrant is scanned and sent to our General Counsel, to determine if it is a valid judicial warrant signed by a judge. Administrative warrants issued by an agency do not grant access to HTH facilities.
4. No Voluntary Assistance: HTH does not assist with federal immigration enforcement. Without a verified judicial warrant or court order, agents are not permitted to enter campus or speak with any student or staff member.

Privacy and Student Records

We take the confidentiality of your information seriously:

• No Citizenship Data: HTH does not ask for or maintain records regarding student or family citizenship status.
• No Social Security Numbers: We do not require Social Security numbers for enrollment. For meal program forms, families only need to provide the last four digits of an SSN or check the “No SSN” box.
• Data Protection: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we will not share student records with immigration officials without a parent’s written consent or a valid judicial warrant.

Family Resources and Preparedness

We encourage all families to take proactive steps to ensure their emergency plans are up to date:

• Update Emergency Contact Information: Ensure your child’s emergency contact information is current in PowerSchool. Nominate a trusted adult who is authorized to care for your child if you are unavailable.
• Support Apps: We recommend using tools like “Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants” and California Rapid Response Networks (a crowdsourced platform for reporting enforcement activity).
• Mental Health Support: If your student is experiencing anxiety or needs support, please reach out to your School Director. Our mental health team and staff are ready to provide resources to support your family’s wellbeing.
• HTH Safe Zone Website: Resources are available on each school’s website under the HTH Safe Zone page, which can be accessed here. 

HTH remains a proud Safe Zone. We will continue to maintain gender-inclusive restrooms, teach inclusive curricula, and build the strong relationships that define our community. Every child has a constitutional right to a safe, peaceful education, and we are honored to stand with you in protecting that right.

Sincerely,

Diana Cornejo-Sanchez, Ed.D.

CEO, High Tech High Schools