As ICE detentions ramp up, SF educators are now accompanying families to immigration hearings
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco educators are accompanying students' families to immigration court hearings and other immigration-related appointments as immigration enforcement operations ramp up nationwide.
Several times a week, educators step out of the classroom to accompany parents to appointments, including hearings at 630 Sansome Street, where many San Francisco immigration court hearings take place.
"Parents and family members feel a giant relief from feeling supported and not going to these intimidating meetings by themselves," said Daniel Gatica, a Spanish teacher with the San Francisco Unified School District.
The Deportation Data Project at UC Berkeley found that ICE arrests in the San Francisco Bay Area are up nearly 70% from 2025. Gatica, who teaches at June Jordan School for Equity, said he has noticed the impact immigration tensions can have on students.
"When the brain is in fight or flight, their brain is incapable of retaining information," Gatica said.
MORE: Bay Area families on edge as schools respond to ICE activity in communities
Gatica is part of a group of San Francisco educators who have been accompanying parents to immigration court hearings for the past two years. The nonprofit Faith in Action trains the educators.
"We have educators from over 20 schools that have accompanied students to ICE appointments, immigration court and other immigration related appointments. We've trained many more than that. So there's probably 150 or so that have been involved," said Matt Alexander, Faith in Action co-director and community organizer.
Since January, Faith in Action said educators have accompanied parents or unaccompanied minors to more than 130 immigration appointments or court hearings.
"We really are there for emotional moral support with our families, to make them feel less isolated and alone," said Geri Almanza, treasurer of United Educators of San Francisco.
SFUSD does not track students' legal status. Last year, nearly 13,000 students were enrolled in English learner classes. Bill Hing, a professor of law and migration studies at the University of San Francisco, said having someone accompany families can make a difference.
MORE: Supreme Court rules Trump administration can continue rapidly deporting migrants to 3rd countries
"I actually do think it makes a difference when an immigration judge or the government attorney or the government investigators sees that there's someone that brought them here," Hing said.
For Gatica, the work outside the classroom has become an important part of supporting students and their families.
"The most fulfilling work and the most impactful work for students in the end," Gatica said.
Faith in Action said educators have also served as translators at 630 Sansome when Spanish-speaking families do not understand what to do next.
