S.F. immigrants seek to expand civic footprint

Immigrant parents had a tough choice last fall: stay on the sidelines, or vote in the school board election to make their voices heard, even if it meant risking exposure to federal immigration enforcement.

Advocacy groups thought a novel effort to encourage participation in civic life by local noncitizens was a good step forward, but the ferocity of the conservative backlash and the real fear among potential voters resulted in low participation and a continued search for other solutions.