Richmond County School officials say all students can keep learning, no matter their immigration status, even after new federal rules on immigration.
🔎 What’s Happening: The Richmond County School System wants families to know that every child has the right to go to school, even after new immigration rules from the federal government. The district says it will continue to follow the law to protect student rights.
🏫 Who Made it Happen: School leaders in Richmond County shared a message saying they will not stop any child from getting an education, no matter their immigration or citizenship status. They also reminded families that schools must follow privacy laws, like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which keeps student records safe.
📜 Why It Matters: Some families may be worried about new immigration orders signed by former President Donald Trump that focus on stricter border control and deportation rules. These changes could affect families with undocumented members.
💬 What Officials Are Saying: School leaders say they understand that some families feel uncertain. They promise to make sure every student feels safe and supported. Families with questions are encouraged to talk to their child’s school principal.
🔮 What’s Next: The school system will keep an eye on federal policies and follow any changes in the law. School officials will work with state and federal leaders to make sure students’ rights are protected.
👥 How Families Can Stay Informed: If parents or students have questions about school rules or their rights, they should reach out to school administrators for the latest information.
📜 The Statement: Here is the statement from Richmond County Schools in its entirety.
Due to recent federal executive orders concerning immigration and school protection, we feel it is important to reaffirm our commitment to student access and rights within our schools. Our goal is to provide you with crucial information regarding these rights and access.
The Richmond County School System’s vision is to offer an equitable education for all students, preparing them for life beyond the classroom. This vision stands firm today. Every child is constitutionally guaranteed the right to a K-12 education and deserves to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status.
Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures the privacy of student educational records and limits the sharing of personally identifiable information without parental consent, except under specific conditions. We are dedicated to upholding the privacy and protection of all students in our district, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status.
We will continue to monitor federal changes and review guidance on immigration issues from federal and state authorities as it becomes available. Should you have any concerns or questions, we encourage you to contact your child’s school principal.
We recognize that this may be a time of uncertainty for some of our families. Please know that our focus remains on ensuring that our students feel safe, supported, and able to learn in a welcoming school environment.
Thank you for being a valued part of the Richmond County School System community.
