School systems throughout Virginia are doing their best to ensure families and students that it is safe for students, regardless of their immigration status, to receive an education.
Superintendents and school boards have rushed to prepare statements and resolutions addressing the uncertainty after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security removed a policy that restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive areas including schools, churches and hospitals.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” read a statement from acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman.
Effective immediately, the Trump administration announced that it also has expanded fast-track deportation authority nationwide allowing immigration officers to deport people without appearing before a judge.
On the campaign trail, Trump promised he would be aggressive on immigrants asserting that millions of people from jails, prisons and mental institutions were being dumped in the United States.
“We’re a dumping ground. We’re like a garbage can for the world,” Trump said.
Are they safe? Immigrants living in fear in nation, Virginia
Immediately following the announcement, rumors of raids by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, on schools in Chicago, Springfield and Denver, put immigrant families on edge wondering if school systems elsewhere might also be targeted. Many of the initial reports turned out to be false, but it hasn’t done much to calm the fears of families in Virginia and throughout the nation.
School systems have reported a decrease in attendance of students linked to fears of possible ICE raids.
In Virginia, Richmond, Henrico County, Fairfax County, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville and Albemarle County school divisions have tried to ease the anxiety by showing support for students.
Richmond
Richmond declared its public schools “a safe zone” for its students through a resolution passed by the School Board last week promising that it would not allow law enforcement to interfere with students’ learning experience.
The school system also promised to create a rapid response team to help students whose families may be split up and leave a child without guardianship.
The resolution passed by the school board requires any law enforcement requests to be directed to the Superintendent’s office.
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras posted a video to social media with the message: “We love you, and RPS will always be a safe haven for you.”
The school system put together an online resource guide to help prevent misinformation.
“No matter who you are where you come from how you define yourself, we will always do everything humanly possible to protect you and keep you safe,” Kamras said.
“Please don’t fear coming to school for fear of being taken away. We desperately want to see you at school, and we can’t wait to see you every single day.
“We’ll never ask for immigration status and immigration status will never be a pre-condition for any of our supports including special education services, counseling services, our meal program or anything else.
Henrico County
Henrico County schools also posted a resource guide to its website.
In a statement the school system said it has a “shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students and staff members in our schools.
“HCPS is a safe place where students are welcomed and supported in their learning regardless of their immigration status. In fact, schools do not even collect that information when students enroll or at any other time. Further, HCPS policies and federal law limit law enforcement agencies from accessing information about students and limits the contact they can have with students at school,” the statement said.
Fairfax County
In Northern Virginia, Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid said they would “continue to do all that we can – to the fullest extent allowable by law” to protect students and staff.
“We have clear plans in place to respond to the shifting federal policies and our principals have received clear direction from me on the expected response should a federal law enforcement official come to a school,” she said. “As we continue to follow the law, we will do everything within our authority to protect our students and staff.
Roanoke
In Roanoke, city public schools said teachers and staff have been updated on proper protocols to follow if law enforcement shows up at schools.
“We also want to share that federal law enforcement officials must have a judicial warrant to enter school property. If a warrant is presented, parents and guardians must provide permission before officials can interview a student.
“During this time of uncertainty, we want our families to know that we are here for you.”
Elsewhere
Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Harrisonburg schools have also issued statements supporting students and safe learning environments.
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Crystal Graham
