If ICE Visits Prince William County Public Schools: What To Know

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Virginia's second-largest school district is responding to concerns about protocols if Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts enforcement at schools.

Prince William County Public Schools has shared an information web page with families regarding immigration protections. The school district said it was not aware of any ICE visits to schools to detain students, parents or staff. If there was a visit, PWCS said schools would follow existing policies on law enforcement accessing student record information.

"If ICE or law enforcement seeks access to schools, they must provide legal justification and await PWCS approval to protect the rights of students and staff," the school district states on its website.

A directive issued Jan. 20 by the Department of Homeland Security allows for immigration enforcement actions to happen in "sensitive areas" like schools, reversing a Biden administration policy. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said immigrants violating the law "will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest."

At PWCS and other public school districts, students have the right to public education regardless of their immigration status, according to the 1982 Plyer v. Doe decision by the Supreme Court. The case came when Texas enacted a law allowing school districts to deny enrollment to undocumented students, which the Supreme Court said violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

School districts must also follow the 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects privacy of student information.

"PWCS does not inquire about the immigration status of students and their families," the PWCS website states. "Additionally, PWCS will only release confidential student information/records to law enforcement authorities in accordance with state and federal laws governing such disclosure."

As part of his campaign platform, President Donald Trump vowed to immediately launch a nationwide immigration crackdown, including in sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal agencies. In Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin had introduced a budget proposal to withhold state funding from localities that do not cooperate with ICE. That involves notifying ICE 48 hours before the release of an undocumented immigrant who committed a crime. Under the proposal, localities not cooperating would lose the 599 funding for localities with police departments. However, that proposal faces uncertainty with the Democratic-controlled Virginia House of Delegates and Senate.