JRA-R-4
LEVERETT SCHOOL COMMITTEE
PROTECTION OF UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (hereafter referred to as ICE)
personnel, or employees of any other agency acting as immigration
agents, will be refused entry to District property or access to students in the
Districts’ custody unless the Superintendent and District Counsel are provided
with a warrant signed by a judge or magistrate authorizing the immigration
agent’s entry onto the property. Existing District practice
requires all visitors to state the reason for their visit and be cleared for
entry into a space with students. Consistent with that practice, any ICE
employee, or employee of any other agency acting as immigration agents
(hereafter referred to as agent, regardless of agency
affiliation), intending to enter any Leverett Elementary School property
must first notify the Superintendent of their
intention, and provide copies of a warrant signed by a judge or
magistrate so the Superintendent can take steps to provide for the
emotional and physical safety of students and staff. The
Superintendent will consult with the General Counsel when ICE attempts to enter
District Property.
In addition to receiving a warrant, the Superintendent and/or General
Counsel will ask for the agent’s credentials, ask the agent why he/she is
requesting access, and ask the agent what evidence of reasonable suspicion
exists via a warrant. Schools have heretofore been considered a sensitive
location by government agencies (see ICE Policy Number 10029.2: Enforcement Actions at or
Focused on Sensitive Locations); therefore, the district requires
written authorization from the agency’s authorizing official for any interviews
on school property. The Superintendent will notify the student that they are
free to refuse to answer ICE’s questions and will notify the parents/guardians
of the warrant.
Leverett Elementary School staff will not refer students or families to ICE
if they inadvertently or intentionally disclose their immigration status.
Pursuant to FERPA and state records law, Leverett Elementary School staff shall
not disclose, without parental consent, the immigration status of any student.
If a representative of ICE, or any agency acting as immigration agents,
contacts the schools or District offices regarding any individual student(s),
school personnel shall immediately contact the student(s)’ parent/guardian and
share contact information for appropriate support groups or agencies.
SEE ALSO:
Resource Guide: Supporting
Undocumented Youth
(Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
ICE Policy Number 10029.2:
Enforcement Actions at or Focused on Sensitive Locations
Edited by Leverett Policy Committee: 06-12-17
First Reading by Leverett School Committee: 09/11/17
Second Reading, First Vote: 10/02/17
Final Vote: 11/06/17