Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Privacy Im Migration Protections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
East Lansing Board unanimously adopts resolution to protect students regardless of immigration status
Summary
The East Lansing Board of Education on Jan. 13 unanimously adopted a resolution directing the district not to assist federal civil immigration enforcement on school property except with a criminal warrant, to review recordkeeping to minimize collection of immigration-status data, and to post the resolution at every school.
At its Jan. 13 organizational meeting, the East Lansing Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt a resolution affirming the district's commitment to a safe and supportive school environment for all students regardless of immigration status.
Trustee Edel moved the resolution and Trustee Torres seconded the motion. The board discussed timing and legal review before agreeing to add the item to the agenda and vote; trustees approved the item without dissent.
The resolution, read into the record by board staff, reiterates that "the right of every child regardless of immigration status to access a free public K–12 education," and cites federal precedent referenced in the text. It directs that the district will not aid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in enforcement of federal civil immigration law on district property, facilities, students or personnel except in the rare instances when the district is presented with a criminal warrant. The text also instructs the district to review recordkeeping practices and consult legal counsel to minimize or eliminate the collection of immigration-status data such as birth certificates and Social Security numbers provided at enrollment.
Board members said the resolution is intended to reduce fear and disruption among students and families following recent national developments. Trustee Edel said she moved the item "to affirm the board's commitment to a safe and supportive school environment for all students." Board members noted they had sought legal and policy review before taking action.
The resolution further directs that the district will post the text at every school site and distribute it to staff, students and families through usual communications channels. The intergovernmental committee will include advocacy for deferred-action status pathways and related immigration protections on its legislative agenda.
Next steps recorded by board staff include a policy-committee review of related policies and implementation of the recordkeeping review required by the resolution. The board adopted the resolution by unanimous vote and closed further discussion on the item.
