Local school districts have vowed to vanguard immigrant students’ information from federal immigration inquiries.
In lock-step with guidelines set forth by the California Dept. of Justice (DOJ), Santa Clara Unified School District and Sunnyvale School District have let residents know the law protects student information from the U.S. Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Federal and state laws protect student education records and personal information,” according to guidelines set down by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “These laws generally require that schools get written consent from parents or guardians before releasing student information, unless the release of information is for educational purposes, is already public, or is in response to a court order or subpoena.”
Essentially, according to the DOJ, since the law requires children between 6 and 18 to attend school, it is unjust for ICE to leverage schools to obtain immigration information.
The law specifies that children have the right to “attend safe, secure, and peaceful schools” in a “learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, violence, and intimidation” and an “equal opportunity to participate in any program or activity offered by the school without discrimination.”
Except under narrow circumstances, such as having a warrant, school officials will bar ICE officers from school grounds and refuse to share student information, according to an SCUSD letter sent to parents on Jan. 25.
“If immigration enforcement officials request confidential information, including immigration or citizenship information, school officials will not share it,” the letter from SCUSD read.
A similar letter from Sunnyvale School District, sent Jan. 21, pledged to protect personal information and do its best to “ensure that all children, families, and employees in our district are treated with respect and dignity and given every opportunity to achieve.”
“It is in the best interest of every child we serve to keep our learning community as safe and cohesive as possible,” according to the Sunnyvale letter. “We will follow the law, and the law protects our students and staff.”
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com
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