We understand that recent announcements and media coverage about the possible presence of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies—such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—in schools may raise questions or concerns. As the Director of Educational Services, I want to take a moment to reassure you of our ongoing commitment to student safety and share current information on this matter.
As affirmed in the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, children cannot be denied access to free public education based on their or their families’ immigration status. Furthermore, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguards the privacy of student educational records. Schools cannot share student information with authorities unless presented with a lawful court order signed by a judge.
In line with this, Walsh Academy follows strict protocols regarding interactions with governmental agencies on school property. School policy mandates that all visitors to school grounds check in at the main office and receive permission to remain.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has also released resources [link below], emphasizing that schools should serve as “safe havens” for all students, where they can learn without fear.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and resourceful team ready to support our families. This includes staff who are available to assist with any individual student needs—please feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom counselor or Walsh Academy administrator.
