Yesterday (January 28, 2025), the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released a guidance document regarding ICE enforcement actions at schools. In the wake of the Department of Homeland Security’s recission of its longstanding “protected areas” policy, public school districts across Connecticut have been requesting guidance from the state regarding their compliance obligations. The CSDE’s guidance aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions from districts.
The CSDE’s guidance contains several key points, including:
- Students have the right to attend public school, regardless of their immigration status.
- Public schools are obligated to comply with FERPA’s requirement to protect certain forms of student information from disclosure, unless an exception applies.
- It is standard procedure for schools to limit visitor access during the school day. Schools routinely ask for visitors to provide identification and the purpose of their visit. This general principle holds true if ICE agents visit schools.
- Schools may wish to proactively designate a school official to serve as a point person who can coordinate requests for information and in-person visits by ICE agents.
- Do not obstruct or interfere with lawful immigration enforcement activities. Remain calm and cooperative in your interactions with ICE agents.
- Consider consulting legal counsel for assistance.
Additional takeaways that CSDE raises in their guidance include the following:
- CSDE writes that “Connecticut schools have no obligation to collect or maintain the immigration status of students or their family members.” This aligns with previous CSDE guidance on documentation that districts should and should not request to establish residency for enrollment.
- CSDE suggests that districts make counselors and mental health services available to students and staff who may be experiencing anxiety regarding current events.
- Finally, CSDE says that it will share additional resources to help districts communicate with families about these issues. Keep an eye out for more on this front.
As you review the CSDE’s guidance, please contact a member of Shipman’s immigration enforcement team (below) if you have questions about meeting your legal requirements or developing protocols that comply with the law.
Immigration Enforcement Team