School District of Philadelphia Promises to Protect Immigrant Students Amid Mass Deportation Threats

Source: KYLIE COOPER / Getty

The School District of Philadelphia has made a promise to protect immigrant students amid President’s Trump threat of mass deportation.

Tony Watlington, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, said the district has conducted extensive training with principals to ensure they understand the procedure.

If Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up at a Philadelphia school, it is protocol for the school not to let them in, nor are they to turn over any student information without a warrant.

“We’ll be following the letter and spirit of the law and won’t provide undue access to children in schools without the appropriate warrants or paperwork,” he said.

Principals have been trained to contact the district’s general counsel should ICE agents appear.

“Our general counsel will advise them to make sure that appropriate warrants and other paperwork are in order,” Watlington said. “That will be the only way that we will provide access to our students.”

Watlington said he’s aware of growing trepidation among immigrant communities, and will do everything he can to ensure safety amongst immigrant families attending Philadelphia schools. The district also created a toolkit to help staff support immigrant and refugee students.

“We hear our students and some of their family members tell us they have an uptick in their anxiety levels,” he added. “We’re doing everything we can to assure them that we intend to educate them and protect their safety and well-being.”