1 day Ago
DALLAS — Since entering office, President Trump has taken action regarding immigration in the U.S. Notably, President Trump revoked a directive that had previously barred immigration arrests in "sensitive" locations, including churches and schools, as part of his broader immigration enforcement strategy.
That move is just a part of Trump’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and accelerate deportations, but school districts nationwide fear those efforts could impact attendance . Those fears extend to districts and parents in North Texas. WFAA reached out to several area ISDs for comment.
Here's what we've heard back. ARLINGTON ISD "At Arlington ISD, the top priority has always been the safety, well-being and education of every student we serve, regardless of their background, status or circumstances. That is what Texas public schools, including Arlington ISD, do.
Recent reports regarding potential federal actions around immigration enforcement have raised understandable concerns among many of our families, students and staff. Arlington ISD is committed to supporting all students and families during this challenging time. Schools are places of learning, inclusion and safety for every child.
To that end, the district emphasizes the following: We do not collect immigration status . The Arlington ISD has never collected student information regarding immigration status. The district is bound by law ( Plyer v.
Doe ) to provide education for all students residing in the community. Student privacy is protected by law. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that personal information about students cannot be disclosed without appropriate consent.
Arlington ISD will continue to honor this responsibility and enforce the law. Resources are available . Arlington ISD will share resource information to assist those who may be affected in the days and weeks ahead.
The district will continue to monitor developments in federal policy and assess how they may impact the district. We are also communicating with local and state officials to advocate for the needs of our community to ensure that every child has access to a safe, stable and supportive learning environment." DALLAS ISD “Dallas ISD is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for ALL students, staff, and families regardless of their immigration status.
As such, in 2017, the Dallas ISD board of trustees took the bold step of unanimously approving a resolution to designate all Dallas ISD schools as welcoming and protective TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. We believe that ALL students deserve the opportunity to succeed, and we are dedicated to ensuring that they ALL have the resources they need to thrive. We are here to educate ALL students for success.
” FORT WORTH ISD "At Fort Worth ISD, we are deeply committed to fostering schools where every student feels accepted, valued, and supported, regardless of their background or immigration status. We recognize that recent national changes in immigration policies may have left some families in our community feeling uncertain or concerned. Please rest assured that Fort Worth ISD remains steadfast in its mission to provide schools that are safe, inviting, and respectful for all.
Many of you have expressed your concerns, and I want to address some of the most frequently asked questions received from multiple stakeholders, along with our responses. I am sharing this information with our entire Fort Worth ISD community to ensure everyone stays informed as we move forward together. 1.
Does the district ask students or families about immigration status? No, Fort Worth ISD does not request or seek information on the immigration status of students or their families. We enroll students without discrimination, regardless of their immigration status, in alignment with current legal requirements. 2.
How is student information safeguarded? We maintain the confidentiality of all student records in compliance with federal law, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Access to these records is restricted to individuals with legal authorization. 3.
If I am a parent or guardian, and I am worried about being detained while my child is at school, what should I do? In the event that any parents are detained during school hours, the District will ensure the safety of students until an authorized adult can pick up the child, while complying with state and federal child welfare laws. We kindly ask that all our families take this opportunity to update emergency contact information for your students at their school. 4.
What should my student do if they have concerns about coming to school? If your student has concerns about coming to school, please reach out to their campus principal or school counselor. Fort Worth ISD offers resources to support students who may need additional assistance. We are here to support all of our students, families, and staff.
We will continue to communicate with you should we have any information that impacts on our students and schools. The safety and well-being of our students is and always will be our top priority. Thank you for entrusting Fort Worth ISD with your child’s education.
" IRVING ISD "Irving ISD values each of our approximately 31,000 students and their families, and we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment that prioritizes the physical safety and emotional well-being of all students. We are aware of the growing concerns in our community as a result of the recent executive order pertaining to changes in federal immigration enforcement. While the district complies with state and federal laws, we also have an obligation to serve ALL students entrusted to our care, regardless of immigration status.
In fact, adherence to the law further compels Irving ISD to protect and educate all students enrolled in our district to the fullest extent of the law. Our schools, facilities and school-sponsored activities are a safe place for our students. Under federal and state law, Irving ISD has no authority or role to collect or maintain information about the immigration status of any student or their family members.
Law enforcement authorities are not allowed to remove students from our schools without the proper legal documentation. We have multiple board policies in place to protect all students, regardless of immigration status. Applicable policies, which can be found at IrvingISD.
net/boardpolicy, include FD (Legal), EHBE (Legal) and many locally-developed policies including, but not limited to, FFH (Local), DH (Local), FO (Local), FNG (Local), FNA (Local), FNAA (Local), FNCI (Local) and FB (Local). As always, counselors are available at our schools to provide support to our students. We are committed to collaborating with authorities to ensure that students are not unnecessarily targeted or detained in school settings, allowing us to remain focused on providing each of our students the best education possible.
" MESQUITE ISD WFAA: Has there been a noticeable change in attendance rates recently? Mesquite ISD: Attendance has fluctuated and was down 2% last week compared to the year-to-date attendance rate, which is typical for this time of year due to student illnesses among other reasons. Mesquite ISD: While we are closely monitoring student withdrawals, there is no data at this time indicating a significant increase in the number of students leaving the district. It’s also common to see a higher number of withdrawals in January as the new semester begins.
WFAA: Are there concerns or feedback from families in your district regarding the impact of immigration policies on their willingness to send students to school? Mesquite ISD: Mesquite ISD remains committed to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where students feel like they belong and are empowered to excel. We understand the challenges some families may face and want to reassure them that every child has the right to attend school regardless of immigration status, and their attendance at school does not violate any state or federal law. WFAA: Are there any measures or programs in place to address concerns among students and families who may feel apprehensive or unsafe? Mesquite ISD: We’ve encouraged all families to update their emergency contact information.
MISD Counseling Services has prepared tips and best practices for teachers on how to respond to worried students and guidance counselors will be available to directly support students emotionally WFAA: Have teachers/staff members been given any guidance on the possibility of arrests taking place on campus and/or school properties? Mesquite ISD: Mesquite ISD will follow district policy and continue to comply with state and federal laws, including federal privacy laws (FERPA), and will monitor any additional guidance issued by state and federal officials. WYLIE ISD "Thanks for reaching out! I apologize for the delayed response. Wylie ISD has not noticed any changes to our attendance rates beyond what is typical during cold and flu season.
We have also received minimal questions from our community regarding this matter. We have communicated guidance from our legal counsel to our administrators to ensure they are well-informed and prepared.".
