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Allentown district pauses plan for immigration-protection resolution as federal rules change
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Birx told the board the district had planned a resolution to formalize protections for students and families regardless of immigration status, but new federal executive orders in the prior 48 hours prompted a legal review and a pause so staff can ensure compliance.
Superintendent Dr. Christine Birx told the Allentown School District Board of Directors on Jan. 23 that the district had planned to present a resolution formalizing protocols to protect students and families regardless of immigration status, but new federal executive orders issued within the previous 48 hours required staff to pause and review the district’s approach with legal counsel.
"I want to assure you that the Allentown School District is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students and their families, regardless of their immigration status," Dr. Birx said during the committee meeting.
The resolution the district intended to introduce would have formalized guidance for school leaders and staff on steps to take if nonlocal law enforcement questions immigration status on school property. Birx told the board the district already has long-standing protections: the board adopted a welcoming-schools resolution in 2019 and district policy (referred to during the meeting as policy 200) prohibits asking about a student’s immigration status during enrollment.
Because the federal rules were changing quickly, Dr. Birx said the administration and the district solicitor must review the new executive orders "to thoughtfully review each change and determine responses that will be in the best interest of our entire learning community." She said the district is working with legal counsel and community providers to craft prescriptive language and guidance for school leaders when nonlocal law enforcement appears on district property.
Dr. Birx also said regional providers convened more than 60 organizations to coordinate community resources and to plan follow-up meetings that will produce guidance and resource referrals for families. "We are working very closely with our legal counsel to ensure that we comply with the new executive orders and provide new guidance so that everyone understands their rights and is equipped with the tools to handle the presence of nonlocal law enforcement on district property," she said.
Board members asked for clear, school‑level guidance and materials the district will distribute to families. The superintendent said the district will provide updated guidance when legal review is complete and will continue to refer families to community resources in the meantime.
No formal board vote on a new resolution was taken at the meeting; staff characterized the matter as an active legal review and said any formal action will come after counsel has completed its analysis.
