Arlington Public Schools leaders are trying to ensure families continue to feel safe following immigration enforcement changes under President Donald Trump.
The school system has rolled out additional trainings for school administrators and staff and launched a new webpage with immigration resources for families, Superintendent Francisco Durán announced yesterday (Thursday).
APS does not ask about students’ immigration status and will not allow immigration officials to enter schools or remove students “without following proper legal protocols,” Durán said in an email to APS families.
Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, “schools are prohibited, without parental consent, from providing student information to federal immigration agents without appropriate legal justification,” he noted.
“Like many in our community, I am increasingly concerned about new immigration enforcement efforts taking place across the country,” Durán said. “I want our students, staff, and families to know that we take the safety and well-being of each member of our community seriously. We are committed to maintaining safe, supportive, and welcoming school environments for all.”
The changes follow the Trump administration’s decision last week to allow immigration officers to carry out arrests at “sensitive locations” including schools.
There are about 251,000 people living in Virginia without legal status, according to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute.
School Board Chair Mary Kadera said that APS has been working on efforts to support immigrant families since November.
“We are trying really hard to get the word out about resources, to be clear about what our response will be,” Kadera said at an Arlington NAACP meeting this week. “I just want to assure all of you — because I think this is a community that, like me, cares deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our citizens — that this is something we’re taking very seriously.”
Newly elected School Board member Zuraya Tapia-Hadley said she believes ongoing efforts at APS are important for ensuring students and families feel safe.
“Like many in our country, in our community, I am increasingly concerned about new immigration enforcements taking place across the country,” she said at last night’s School Board meeting. “I am concerned that this narrative, one, takes away from the recognition that we immigrants make to our communities all over this country — immigrants and refugees — as well as makes our communities feel unsafe.”
The APS resource page notes that all children in the United States have a constitutional right to free public education, regardless of their immigration status or that of their parents.
“We encourage ALL students to continue to come to school every day,” the page says.
Durán last night also announced updates to APS security protocols, including the installation of “security entry vestibules” at all schools.
He encouraged all families to ensure their emergency contact information is up to date.
Durán’s full statement is below.
Like many in our community, I am increasingly concerned about new immigration enforcement efforts taking place across the country. I want our students, staff, and families to know that we take the safety and well-being of each member of our community seriously. We are committed to maintaining safe, supportive, and welcoming school environments for all.
APS does not ask about immigration status. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), schools are prohibited, without parental consent, from providing student information to federal immigration agents without appropriate legal justification.
We have taken proactive steps to prepare and guide our school leaders and staff to support all families:
- We have partnered with Arlington County and advisory groups to provide a webpage of resources for families, ensuring they have access to the support and information they need, including a link to understanding your rights from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
- Our school leaders and staff have received thorough training on how to respond if law enforcement or immigration officials request student information or access to students.
- Our schools will also continue to keep families well informed when concerning incidents occur at or near our schools that affect student safety or normal operations. Families will be notified by the school if law enforcement requests information or access to students.
- APS is committed to protecting our students and families. Immigration officials will not be allowed to enter schools or remove students without following proper legal protocols. Principals will contact our central office and our legal team immediately to review any warrant or legal documents that are presented.
I encourage all families to ensure their emergency contact information is up to date. This allows us to communicate effectively with trusted contacts in the event of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances. Families can update their information through ParentVUE or by contacting their student’s school directly.
APS remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting every student and family, and fostering a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment for all.
Please continue to access our information page for up-to-date information and resources. Many community organizations are also providing information, and we welcome the shared effort to help keep everyone informed and feeling safe in our schools.
