BRIDGE TO SUCCESS FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
Bridge to Success for Immigrant Students is a policy proposal to protect newcomer students in San Francisco Unified School District.
Immigrant families make many sacrifices to come to San Francisco to help their children have a quality education and a better life. Sadly, when immigrant families enroll their children at the SFUSD enrollment center, many are no longer being informed about newcomer programs and are enrolled in schools with less support. We can see this change in the data: In 2021, 85% of newcomer students were enrolled in newcomer programs, whereas now it’s just 46%.
Immigrant students have unique needs, and when they are new to the United States, they are better supported in special newcomer programs than regular school programs. Newcomer programs provide strong academic support from teachers trained to help English learners, as well as extra services such as counseling in students’ home languages, mental health support, and help for families with housing, food, and legal services. Schools also work closely with immigrant families in their native language to make sure students receive the support they need to succeed.
The Bridge to Success for Immigrant Students policy will ensure immigrant families can access resources that will help their children be successful. It says
All new SFUSD students must complete a Home Language Survey so the district can identify students who qualify for newcomer programs.
Most newcomer students will first be placed in a newcomer program unless their parent or guardian chooses to opt out in writing. Families who opt out must sign a form showing they understand the benefits and services they are declining.
Immigrant students already in SFUSD schools can transfer into newcomer programs during the year, and students may also transfer out of newcomer programs to other schools after they develop their English language skills.
Protect immigrant students’ rights to access newcomer education programs that serve as a bridge to success!
The struggle to protect programs for immigrant students
SAFE SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
The Safe Schools Committee is an organizing committee of immigrant families and educators in San Francisco, formed through a partnership between Faith in Action Bay Area and United Educators of San Francisco (UESF), the union representing 6,000 educators in the SFUSD public schools. Since 2025, the committee has been working on five key issues identified by the families and educators:
Safe Schools Plans - template for a plan on how schools can be prepared in the event of ICE activity on or near the campus
Family Plans - training on how families can be prepared for emergencies including the worst case of family separation
Accompaniment - how educators can accompany immigrant parents and students themselves to immigration court and ICE check ins
Sanctuary Legal Defense Fund - a fund for critical gaps families face in the area of legal defense
Protecting Newcomer Programs - an effort to stop harmful cuts proposed by the school district to programs specially designed for recent immigrant students
SANCTUARY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
Most of us immigrant families are facing the immigration system without a lawyer. Even in San Francisco, pro bono legal services are at capacity, and private attorneys cost $10,000 or more. The federal government has dramatically increased fees charged for each step in the process. We know that having a lawyer makes deportation much less likely—and yet thousands of San Francisco families lack legal representation.
That’s why we launched the SANCTUARY Legal Defense Fund which pays for application fees and private attorney deposits for SFUSD students and families. United Educators of San Francisco seeded the fund with $50,000 in matching funds. Together, we can make San Francisco a true Sanctuary City. Please join us by making a donation!
