ATLANTA — Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began targeted arrest operations across the Atlanta metro and the rest of the country.
Under new federal immigration policies, ICE agents are allowed to go into schools and churches to arrest illegal immigrants, a change from the Biden administration that had once deemed them safe spaces.
We checked with several metro school districts about this weekend’s actions, and this is what they sent us:
Atlanta Public Schools:
“The safety, well-being and educational success of every student enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools is our top priority. In light of recent changes in federal policy around immigration and school protections, we want to reiterate our stance surrounding access to students while they are in school and the rights of students to attend school.
“All children have the Constitutional right to access a K-12 education and receive fair and equitable treatment. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of all students. Atlanta Public Schools is committed to maintaining the privacy and protection of every child in our district, regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
“School and district leadership have been reminded of this position and provided specific guidance on interacting with federal immigration officials should any situations arise. We are committed to supporting each of our students and families and ensuring they experience a safe and welcoming learning environment.”
Cobb County Schools:
“Based on the state’s reporting guidelines, we do verify residence of students in Cobb County and do not collect or report immigration status of students. We have and will continue to follow the law.”
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DeKalb County:
“The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is committed to the safety and success of all students. In line with federal law, DCSD upholds every child’s right to a public education, complies with legal requirements, and protects student privacy. To better serve our community, DCSD is awaiting additional guidance on immigration issues from federal and state authorities.”
Gwinnett County:
“In Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the safety, security, and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Although the federal government has made changes in the way it will enforce immigration policies, as always, GCPS remains committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and safety of each and every student. We will continue to follow our school safety protocols and state and federal laws and ensure the proper execution of judicial orders that clearly define who is authorized to contact students during the school day.”
Rockdale County:
“Rockdale County Public Schools is committed to following all federal and state laws regarding students. Board Policy JBCA (Resident Students) states that “the school system is not responsible for making determinations regarding students’ immigration and visa status.”
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