Parents, staff urge Harrisburg School District to adopt protocols to shield immigrant students from ICE; superintendent orders review

At the Feb. 25, 2025 public meeting of the Harrisburg City School District, several community speakers urged the district to adopt a formal policy and districtwide protocols to protect immigrant students from immigration enforcement actions, saying fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement has disrupted student well-being and school attendance.

Speakers including a representative of a refugee advocacy group, a licensed clinical social worker at John Harris/John Herron High School, and other residents described students who are afraid to come to school and asked the district to explicitly state protections, publish procedures in multiple languages, train staff, and stop collecting or retaining immigration-related data.

The comments came during the general public-comment portion of the meeting. Frasanna (representing the Pennsylvania Refugee Women's Network) described a Family Advocacy Program that supports English learners at two elementary schools and said families fear ICE presence. Casey Sos Rodriguez, a licensed clinical social worker at John Herron High School, said Harrisburg students represent 31 countries and speak more than 18 languages and described students arriving in tears after family members were detained. Pamela Parson, a district resident, and Maria Hernandez, a volunteer, urged the board to adopt visible protections and referenced model resolutions and guidance from civil-rights groups.

Board members and district leadership responded. Superintendent Dr. Henry said administrators and the district legal team will review recent federal executive actions and work on a comprehensive plan. He listed immediate steps the district will pursue: additional training for building leaders on handling ICE inquiries, creation of an infographic for staff about warrants and rights in multiple languages, collaboration with community organizations for family supports, and legal review to ensure compliance with federal rules while protecting students. Dr. Henry said the district is “dedicated to our families” and will continue to update the community.

Board member Miss Robinson urged a public statement that the district will not stand for actions that threaten students’ dignity, while other board members voiced support for protecting students and ensuring staff know protocols. The meeting record does not show a formal board vote creating a new policy; the superintendent’s remarks were presented as administrative direction to review and develop a protocol.

Speakers and community members who asked for a formal written district policy recommended that it: (1) be implemented and published in multiple languages; (2) train all staff and building leaders on protocols for immigration-enforcement inquiries; (3) prohibit collection or retention of sensitive immigration information for enrollment; and (4) establish clear steps for staff to follow if immigration agents appear on school property. Commenters said model templates from the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil-rights groups were provided to the district.

The superintendent said work will continue with legal counsel and community partners and that the district will issue guidance and training materials. No effective date or timeline for new written policy was given during the meeting.

The public comment thread and the superintendent’s direction close a round of community requests; follow-up meetings and formal policy drafts were not on the published agenda at the time of the meeting.