With President Donald Trump removing restrictions preventing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from raiding schools, Alexandria Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt laid out the ways Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) are protected from ICE but also exceptions families should be aware of.
The message comes after a full-throated rebuke of ICE activities at school to the fullest extend allowable by law by Fairfax County Public Schools leadership. Kay-Wyatt’s message similarly noted that the schools can help shield children to an extent, but reaffirmed that ACPS “is obligated to comply with all lawful orders and warrants from any law enforcement entity, including ICE.
Kay-Wyatt’s message reaffirmed that ACPS does not collect of maintain information regarding immigration status of students or families.
“All children who reside within the City of Alexandria have the right to attend school at no cost to their families regardless of immigration status,” Kay-Wyatt said.
Kay-Wyatt also noted that education records of students are generally protected from disclosure without parental consent:
Parents should know that the education records of ACPS students are generally protected from disclosure without parental consent under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Education records may be disclosed pursuant to a court order or subpoena, but in those cases, ACPS is obligated to notify the families of these requests for records prior to disclosure unless the order or warrant directs ACPS not to do so. There are certain exceptions to FERPA’s general prohibition on disclosure without parental consent or notification, such as in the case of a health or safety emergency, but ACPS will work to notify families of any such disclosure after the fact in those circumstances if possible.
ICE raids have already hit Northern Virginia, with a raid reported this weekend in Fairfax County just south of Alexandria.
The full letter from Kay-Wyatt is shared below:
Good Evening ACPS Families,
Over the past few days, I have heard many people express concern regarding recent changes to immigration enforcement policy in the United States and how it will impact Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS). Employees and families have reached out asking what ACPS can or will do in response to these changes, and, with that in mind, I want to make sure our students, staff and families are aware of ACPS’ obligations with respect to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and interactions with law enforcement generally. I also want to express on behalf of our entire ACPS community how deeply we care about you and your children. Our schools have always been, and will continue to be, places of trust and support for everyone who walks through our doors. To that end, I want to clarify the following:
- First, all children who reside within the City of Alexandria have the right to attend school at no cost to their families regardless of immigration status. ACPS does not ask for, collect or maintain any information regarding the immigration status of any student or family in the school division.
- Second, ACPS is obligated to comply with all lawful orders and warrants from any law enforcement entity, including ICE.
- Third, it is my expectation that all of our students are provided with a safe, nondiscriminatory, and disruption-free learning environment. If you believe your child has been mistreated or discriminated against on the basis of immigration status or perceived immigration status, I encourage you to reach out to your school principal so that the matter can be addressed.
- Fourth, parents should know that the education records of ACPS students are generally protected from disclosure without parental consent under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Education records may be disclosed pursuant to a court order or subpoena, but in those cases, ACPS is obligated to notify the families of these requests for records prior to disclosure unless the order or warrant directs ACPS not to do so. There are certain exceptions to FERPA’s general prohibition on disclosure without parental consent or notification, such as in the case of a health or safety emergency, but ACPS will work to notify families of any such disclosure after the fact in those circumstances if possible.
- Fifth, ACPS does not authorize law enforcement interviews with students prior to parental notification unless there is an exigent circumstance. Under School Board Policy KNAJ, the principal or principal’s designee is supposed to be present during these interviews.
- Sixth, I want to encourage all families to make sure that all emergency contact information and the list of authorized individuals who may pick up their children is updated in our school information system to reflect the wishes of the parents/guardians. Please reach out to the school if you need assistance in making these updates.
While ACPS cannot give legal advice, I encourage concerned families to reach out to their school principals if they have more specific questions about their school-related circumstances.
At ACPS, we cherish the contributions that every family brings to our school community. Families from 118 countries who speak 127 languages have chosen Alexandria City as their home, and this diversity is a cornerstone of what makes our school division so vibrant and special. Your presence strengthens our schools and enriches the educational experience for all our students. Please know that we are here for you.
If you have questions or need assistance accessing resources to navigate these proposed changes, we encourage you to reach out to us. You can also visit our Family & Community Resources webpage for more information. We are committed to helping you and providing the information and support you need during this time.
Thank you for being a vital part of our ACPS school community. Together, we will continue to foster a community built on trust, respect and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt
Superintendent
