PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia school board is reinforcing its commitment to protect immigrant students from federal immigration authorities.
It's been the practice of the School District of Philadelphia not to give a student's immigration status to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The school board has taken it a step further, adopting a resolution on Thursday saying any request from ICE should be forwarded to the district's general counsel, who is not to share information unless required by law.
Mayor Jim Kenney, who attended the online board meeting, endorsed the action.
"By ensuring that all Philadelphia public schools are safe havens for immigrant students and their families, we are honoring this commitment and supporting our children's safety and emotional well-being," he said.
The resolution said ICE activity in schools "disrupts the welcoming environment and learning process for all students." Board member Mallory Fix Lopez said schools need to be a place where all students feel secure.
"By ensuring that immigrant children and their families feel unconditionally safe in our schools, we are ensuring that they are given the opportunity to thrive and reach their fullest potential," she said. "Schools must be a place where all students feel welcome, safe and affirmed. This resolution is recommitting and further committing to just that."
The resolution gives the superintendent 100 days to develop a program to train teachers and draw up an emergency response plan to help ensure the emotional well-being of students affected by ICE actions.
The district already has what it calls an immigrant and refugee toolkit, which advises staff on how to handle issues involving immigrant students.
