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California attorney general issues guidance to childcare providers on protecting families from ICE
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are barred from asking about a child's or family member’s immigration status.
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Childcare providers get new state guidance on protecting families from ICE
California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities. Elly Yu reports.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta provided guidance this week to childcare providers on new legal requirements to protect children and their families from immigration enforcement activities.
Under a new law that went into effect this year, childcare providers are not allowed to collect information about a child's or family member’s immigration status, unless necessary under state or federal law. Bonta’s office says there currently is no such requirement, though that could change with federal programs like Head Start.
“Childcare and preschool facilities should be safe and secure spaces so children can grow, learn and simply be children,” Bonta said in a statement.
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Officials say the change will affect an estimated 23,000 people in Los Angeles County. -
The state has a program for self-employed workers and small business owners, but workers don’t always know to opt in. -
Experts say play can be key in helping children through big feelings.
His office says daycare centers also should not keep information about a formerly enrolled child longer than is required by state law.
The new law also requires facilities to inform the attorney general’s office and the state’s licensing agency if they get any requests for information from law enforcement related to immigration enforcement.
Facilities also must ask families to regularly update a child’s emergency contact information to make sure someone can be reached in case a parent is detained by federal immigration officials.
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