School District of Philadelphia reaffirms commitment to safe and welcoming schools amidst nationwide ICE raids

The School District of Philadelphia once again reaffirmed it's stance remaining committed to safe and welcoming schools for all, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents (ICE) have begun rounding up immigrants in the country illegally nationwide one week into the second term for President Trump.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr.  issued a statement regarding district policy and outlined what school administrators have been instructed to do in case ICE agents show up at a district school.

“In light of recent events, I am sharing this message today to reaffirm the School District of Philadelphia’s commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces for our students and families, in alignment with the U.S. Constitution, Pennsylvania State law, and in the spirit of the Board of Education’s Welcoming Sanctuary Schools Resolution,” Watlington said in the statement. “This commitment includes all students, no matter their race, ethnicity, immigration status, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, or person’s abilities. 

"The District will comply with required laws, and school leaders have been provided guidance about how to protect our immigrant students’ rights.”

Trump administration officials, including “border czar” Tom Homan, were in Chicago on Sunday for the start of ramped-up immigration enforcement as federal agencies touted arrests around the country.

Rumors have begun to circulate of similar actions taking place in and around Philadelphia.

In preparation for the possibility of these actions coming to Philadelphia schools, The School District also shared that it has provided guidance to school administrators on how to handle any potential requests from immigration officials.

If an ICE agent requests access to a school building and asks to detain or interview a student for immigration enforcement purposes, the administrators are to:

• Immediately notify the office of the general counsel.
• Obtain documentation from the agent, such as a warrant or subpoena that would give the agent access to the school. 
• Advise the agents that before proceeding with the request, school personnel must first receive direction and notification from the office of the general counsel.
• Personnel are not to provide agents any information about students, their families or school staff unless directed to do so by the office of the general counsel and should wait further instruction from the office. 
• Notify the Office of Prevention and Intervention (P&I) and immediately convene a safety team meeting to work with a P&I liaison to create a school crisis response plan and complete an incident report.

The school district is also asking all families to ensure that all emergency contact information is updated for their student by contacting their child's school.