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A Message Regarding Immigration Enforcement Guidance and Illinois Public Schools

January 27, 2025

 

Dear D105 Families,

 

District 105 is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for our students and families. We understand that doing so is essential in achieving our mission to empower students to make a difference in our world by assisting them to be self directed, passionate, lifelong learners.

 

Last week, we received some questions regarding the changing landscape in immigration enforcement and how this might impact public schools in Illinois. Recent changes to federal immigration enforcement guidelines have adjusted immigration enforcement in specific areas, including schools. To help support schools through these changes, the Illinois State Board of Education released non-regulatory guidance to public schools. You can access this guidance via this link: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Immigration-Enforcement-Guidance.pdf. 

It is important to note that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) agents or Customs and Border Protection (C.P.B) are not permitted to enter schools without a valid warrant signed by a judge. To ensure that the rights of our students and families are protected, if a situation does arise, we will carefully review and handle the situation with guidance from a district attorney. Additionally, the security of our schools remains a top priority, and all visitors must adhere to our security protocols prior to entering a building.

Furthermore, as a district, we have clear guidance regarding our responsibility to protect students’ education, safety, privacy and overall well-being. This guidance will be followed should immigration officials arrive at school. 

  • All Students Have the Right to a Public Education 

    • The U.S. Supreme Court established in Plyler v. Doe, every child has the right to a free public education, regardless of their background or immigration status. Furthermore, schools do not request or collect information about a student’s or their family’s immigration status.

  • Protections for Student Privacy

    • There are federal and state privacy laws designed to protect student information. This includes the Family Educational Right and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Illinois Student Records Act (ISSRA). These laws prohibit sharing student records without proper legal documentation or parent/guardian consent. 

Please be assured that, while complying with the law, our district remains committed to protecting the rights of our students, staff, and families.

Sincerely,


Brian J. Ganan