KY Department of Education: What to do if immigration officials come to school

The Kentucky Department of Education late Wednesday afternoon released guidance on how schools should respond to immigration issues now that government agents can conduct immigration enforcement at schools and churches.

The guidance has been prompted, according to USA TODAY, a situation in which on President Donald Trump’s first full day in the White House, Department of Homeland Security officials rescinded a 2011 policy that prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from conducting enforcement at schools and churches.

“(The state education department) values safe and welcoming learning environments for all students,” Kentucky Education Department spokesperson Jennifer Ginn said Wednesday.

”Our goal each day is that any disruption to student learning is minimized to the greatest extent possible. To assist our schools and districts, KDE has just released a new guidance document about responding to immigration issues.’

In a message to education professionals and others Wednesday, Kentucky Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher said the state department of education has received numerous requests related to information requests and enforcement actions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or one of its associated agencies, such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on school property

Fletcher said the landmark 1981 U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe found that all children, regardless of actual or perceived immigration status, have an equal right to a free public education.

No person shall be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of any program or activity receiving federal funds, he said.

School districts should develop and implement procedures so front desk clerks know who to immediately contact at their central office. The superintendent or their designee should work closely with legal counsel to determine what is required of the school and the district to comply.

Among the guidance is a provision that at the front desk when immigration enforcement officials arrive, school officials should request to view the name, badge and credentials of the officer and the purpose of the visit.

Except in situations involving child abuse or neglect, or unless specifically directed by the officer not to do so, school officials should contact the parents of the student in question to notify them that the officer came to school and what actions the school has or will take in regard to the officer’s request, the guidance said.

If, after obtaining guidance, it is determined the student will be removed from school, the guidance says advise the officer to remain in the front office and not go into hallways and classrooms. The student should be brought to the front office by school staff and the student’s departure should not be announced over the intercom.

Last week, Jefferson and Fayette school officials sent letters to principals with similar guidance.

As of Wednesday, there were no reports of students or staff being taken from school as part of immigration enforcement.