MCCSC does not ask for students’ immigration status when they enroll in school. The corporation only requires proof of residence within the school district.
(Ethan Burks, WFIU/WTIU News)
The Monroe County Community School Corp. is preparing for potential effects from President Donald Trump’s sweeping deportation plans. More than 1,000 people have been deported since he took office about three weeks ago.
MCCSC Superintendent Markay Winston emailed parents that MCCSC does not ask for students’ immigration status when they enroll in school. The corporation only requires proof of residence within the school district.
“I mean, schools can ask for a birth certificate so that we can appropriately put a student into the appropriate grade level, but if there is no birth certificate, we're still going to enroll them,” said Jenny Noble-Kuchera, Monroe County Education Association president. “Public schools are free and accessible.”
The Monroe County Education Association has begun informing teachers on what to do if a deportation threat is imminent, Noble-Kuchera said. MCCSC must comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, which protects students’ educational records.
“If officials arrive at the door of a school, they will need to have some kind of a warrant or document that essentially says we are here to pick up these people,” she said. “Unfortunately, it would potentially fall to our front office staff, not necessarily our teachers in classrooms.”
Only officers with appropriate warrants verified by MCCSC legal counsel can access school buildings and records, the superintendent’s email to families said.
MCCSC has hundreds of students who are English Language Learners, leading to concerns about students potentially being taken away.
“We love our students,” Noble-Kuchera said, “and the thought of them being taken away because of an unconfirmed suspicion that their paperwork may or may not be in order is anathema to what we do every day.”
Noble-Kuchera has advice for teachers and staff members on how to navigate these uncertain times without knowing their students’ immigration status.
“Don't ask, because we don't,” she said. “It's not required of us to ask. And why would we? It's irrelevant.”
On last week’s Noon Edition, Winston said she is committed to supporting all students regardless of immigration status.
“In the event that that were to happen, we would immediately be in conversation with our with our attorneys to make sure that we are adhering to the law,” she said, “but that at the same time, we are keeping our students front and center in terms of safety and making sure that we can plan and support them in whatever way is necessary, physically, emotionally.”
