On Wednesday morning, federal immigration agents reportedly stopped and held a Santa Maria High School student roughly half a mile from campus, according to a message Superintendent Antonio Garcia sent to parents. The student, who has special needs, was let go in the same spot and kept walking to class. A former teacher says his wrist was broken. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denies he was injured. Once he reached campus, school staff called an ambulance and contacted Santa Maria police.

Whatever the full story turns out to be, one thing should not be up for debate: no student should be afraid of the walk to school. Some local families are now worried. The grandfather of an autistic student at Pioneer Valley High School told KSBY News he plans to walk his grandson to and from school every day.

The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees and the Santa Maria City Council have the power to act. They can create clear safe-route plans around every campus and put trusted adults, like crossing guards and school staff, along the routes students walk most. They can set up a fast way to alert parents when enforcement activity is reported near a school. And they can make sure students with disabilities have extra support and know their rights if they are ever stopped.

Keeping kids safe on the way to class is not a left or right issue. Parents of every background want their children to arrive at school safe, calm and ready to learn.

Sign the petition to tell Santa Maria leaders to protect students on their walk to school, before another morning commute turns into a nightmare for a child and their family.