Earlier today, the WTU was notified that a representative from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to enter a DCPS school to inquire about the immigration status of an employee. WTU leadership directly contacted the WTU Building Representative at this school and the DCPS Chancellor. According to both, the OAG Guidance on Immigration Enforcement for DC Schools was followed at the school, and the representative from DHS did not enter the school. Families and staff at the school will receive direct information from DCPS regarding the events of today. DCPS will give support, guidance, and counseling if needed.

The WTU is urging all members to follow the OAG Guidance on Immigration Enforcement for DC Schools. The guidance is available in English, Spanish, French, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Additionally, we strongly recommend our members read and familiarize yourself with the FAQ document prepared by WTU’s attorneys to advise WTU members on the legal protections and risks for teachers in the area of immigration. The FAQ is available by clicking here. We would like to particularly emphasize:

Question # 3. What should Teachers do if they encounter ICE agents at school?

• Direct all ICE requests for entry or any other inquiries to the Principal, who should contact the DCPS Office of General Counsel.  

• Do not consent to letting ICE agents into non-public school areas. Tell ICE agents that you are not authorized to let them into non-public school areas, state that DC policy requires law enforcement to have a warrant, and direct them to the Principal, who should contact DCPS Office of Legal Counsel. Do not try to determine for yourself whether ICE is legally permitted to enter non-public areas.  

• If you are asked directly by ICE agents about your knowledge of a student’s immigration status, respond that DCPS policy is not to inquire into the immigration status of students and report the inquiry to the Principal.  

• If you are asked for any records relating to a student, cite FERPA (the law that protects the confidentiality of student educational records) and direct the request to the Principal, who should contact DCPS’s Office of Legal Counsel.

AFT has a compilation of resources for educators related to immigration. If you would like to access these resources, you may do so by clicking here.  Lastly, if you would like to view the ACLU of DC Empowering Educators: Know Your Rights Webinar for Educators of Immigrant Students Webinar, you may do so by clicking here.

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