School districts across Virginia try to reassure families over immigration worries

School leaders across Virginia are trying to reassure students and families after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day.

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School districts across Virginia try to reassure families over immigration worries

School leaders across Virginia are trying to reassure students and families after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office removing protections against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids from sensitive places, including schools, hospitals and places of worship.

The Migration Policy Institute estimated in 2019 that 17,000 enrolled students in Virginia were undocumented. In the days since the Trump order was signed, school districts across the state have been working to ease the concerns of families.

The U.S. Department of Education has previously stated that “all children in the United States are entitled to equal access to a public elementary and secondary education, regardless of their or their parents’ actual or perceived national origin, citizenship, or immigration status.”

This is reinforced by the 1982 Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, which established that all children, regardless of immigration status, have the right to a public education. Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), enacted in 1974, protects students' privacy.

In Richmond, Superintendent Jason Kamras sent a message to the community assuring students that they would be safe at school.

“To our students, let me be abundantly clear: We love you here, and RPS will always be a safe haven for you,” he wrote. “No matter who you are, where you come from, or how you define yourself, we will always do everything we can to ensure that you are safe and protected on school grounds.”

Kamras said the current relationship with law enforcement will remain the same, but if that were to change, RPS would reassess allowing police presence in schools.

“It is welcome to the extent that [law enforcement] enhances the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” Kamras wrote. “The minute that changes, so, too, will our stance.”

He emphasized that RPS never asks about immigration status and respects families' privacy.

“We always have and always will ensure compliance with federal and state privacy laws,” Kamras wrote. “We also never ask about immigration status, and it is never a barrier to accessing any of our supports, including counseling, exceptional education services, food, or health care.”

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid echoed similar sentiments, stating that FCPS will continue to follow the law, citing the Plyler ruling and FERPA.

“To be clear, Fairfax County Public Schools is not permitted by law to collect the immigration status of our students or their families,” Reid wrote. “As we center ourselves in our humanity, we will continue to do all that we can—to the fullest extent allowable by law—to protect our students and staff and to ensure access to safe and vibrant learning spaces for our students, families, and staff.”

Henrico County Public Schools spokesperson Eileen Cox said in a statement to Virginia Scope that their “focus is on the academic success, safety, and well-being of all students, regardless of their immigration status or home language.”

“The school division will continue to follow state and federal laws as well as division policies and safety protocols that protect student data and set parameters on who is allowed to have contact with students during the school day,” Cox said.

Roanoke Public Schools also cited FERPA in a message to families this week.

“This means schools cannot share a student’s personal information without permission from a parent or guardian,” the superintendent and school board said in a joint statement. “Schools are also not allowed to share student records with immigration or law enforcement agencies without parental consent or a judicial order.”

“We also want to share that federal law enforcement officials must have a judicial warrant to enter school property,” the letter continued. “If a warrant is presented, parents and guardians must provide permission before officials can interview a student.”

Virginia Beach and Chesterfield Public Schools declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries from Virginia Scope.

The Virginia Department of Education referred Virginia Scope to ICE when asked if it is advising school districts on how to navigate the situation.

“VDOE does not have any jurisdiction regarding immigration enforcement,” department spokesperson Todd Reid said. “I'm going to ask that you please refer your inquiry to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding details on their work arresting violent criminal defendants with outstanding ICE detainers.”

Reid also said there have been no reports of ICE activity at schools in Virginia.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Wednesday morning that there have been no ICE raids in schools or churches and accused those suggesting otherwise of “sowing fear.”

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Freedom Virginia launches five-figure mail campaign

This week, Freedom Virginia launched a five-figure mail campaign sent to over 3,500 mailboxes each in 20 districts. The mailers are intended to “commend 20 legislators from across the Commonwealth on their commitment to a tax fairness agenda that ensures hardworking Virginians can get ahead,” Freedom Virginia said in a statement.

The mailers were sent to these districts:

• Senator Adam Ebbin (SD-39)

• Senator Barbara Favola (SD-40)

• Senator Jeremy McPike (SD-29)

• Senator Danica Roem (SD-30)

• Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg (SD-16)

• Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (HD-5)

• Delegate David Bulova (HD-11)

• Delegate Katrina Callsen (HD-54)

• Delegate Joshua Cole (HD-65)

• Delegate Mike Feggans (HD-97)

• Delegate Phil Hernandez (HD-94)

• Delegate Paul Krizek (HD-16)

• Delegate Adele McClure (HD-2)

• Delegate Cia Price (HD-85)

• Delegate Sam Rasoul (HD-38)

• Delegate Holly Seibold (HD-12)

• Delegate Briana Sewell (HD-25)

• Delegate Marcus Simon (HD-13)

• Delegate Shelly Simonds (HD-70)

• Delegate Josh Thomas (HD-21)