Philly’s ‘sanctuary schools’ policy for immigrants hasn’t changed, superintendent says

With federal authorities removing schools as protected spaces from immigration agents, is the Philadelphia School District’s “sanctuary schools” policy still valid?

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington says yes.

“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 a statement sent to staff and families Friday evening.

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The policy, passed in 2021, affirms the district’s commitment to shield immigrant students and families from inquiries by federal immigration authorities, among other protections.

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

Watlington urged families to make sure their emergency contact information is updated, and reminded them that district employees, volunteers and contractors cannot ask or divulge “any personal information about your students or your families, including immigration status, unless required by law and authorized by the District’s Office of General Counsel.”

Reginald Streater, the school board president, said the current board is committed to upholding sanctuary schools.

“I don’t foresee this board repealing the resolution,” Streater said in an interview.

Moreover, Streater said, “It is my understanding that under constitutional law, all students are afforded access to public education under the Supreme Court precedent. As a lawyer, that is my internal interpretation, but obviously we’ve got to see what happens when it goes forward. We’re trusting the district to implement and do what it needs to do” to enforce the resolution.

The news comes amid reports of federal immigration agents showing up at a Chicago elementary school on Friday. School staff did not allow the agents in. ICE officials said the encounter did not occur.

An account of immigration agents showing up outside one North Philadelphia school this week were also rampant on social media, but district officials said those were unfounded.

“We can confirm that ICE agents have not been seen near or on our school property,” Bianca Reyes, the principal of Julia de Burgos Elementary, said in a letter to families.

According to Philadelphia’s policy, if an ICE agent enters a district school, the principal or his or her designee is supposed to keep the agent outside, if possible, to examine any subpoena or warrant, and to tell the agent that only the district’s Office of General Counsel can grant permission to interview a student.

Federal educational privacy laws prohibit schools from revealing information about students without parental consent.