- The Norwich Board of Education passed a policy outlining how the district will respond to ICE agents.
- The policy aims to protect the safety and privacy of undocumented students and their families.
- The policy prohibits school personnel from inquiring about immigration status and requires ICE requests to be reviewed by the superintendent and legal counsel.
- The policy also includes partnering with community organizations to provide resources for families facing deportation or other immigration consequences.
- Board members who voted against the policy argued that it was outside the board’s purview and could be seen as “going around the law.”
The Norwich Board of Education has made a policy for how it responds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents official.
The Norwich Board of Education approved the Welcoming Immigration and Refugee Communities and Protection of Undocumented Students policy on a 5-2 party-line basis Tuesday. Board Chair Mark Kulos and his fellow Democrats Kevin Saythany, John Iovino, Greg Perry and Carline Charmelus approved and Republicans Christine DiStasio and Heather Fowler voted against. Democrat Ella Myles and Republican Christina Milton were not present.
This policy concerning ICE agents is an extension of the district’s school visitor policy, and is similar to existing policies in Windham and New London’s school districts, Kulos said.
“We’ll comply with any federal requirements if there’s any judicial warrants or circumstances that require ICE to enter the building and pursue someone,” he said.
In the event that ICE agents show up, the Norwich Police Department has instructed Norwich Public Schools to contact them or use their student resource officers to assist the district, Acting Superintendent Susan Lessard said.
Details of the policy
Part of this policy includes always forwarding ICE requests to visit school sites and for documents to the superintendent for review and consultation with legal counsel for student safety and compliance with applicable laws, including Phyler v. Doe (1982), which states “A state cannot prevent children of undocumented immigrants from attending public school unless a substantial state interest is involved.”
“The Board of Education believes that ICE activities in and around schools, preschool education centers, and adult school facilities would constitute a severe disruption to the learning environment and educational setting for students,” the approved policy states.
The policy also states that district personnel will not inquire about a student’s legal or immigration status. If a student, family member or staff has a question about their immigration status, they will be referred to a state or local non-profit immigrant law organization. They will not be referred to ICE or any other government organization.
More:What to do if ICE comes calling? CT LEAD, state and Norwich leaders provide guidance
The district will partner with community-based organizations, legal services organizations, and other educational institutions to provide resources for families of students or district employees who are facing deportation or other adverse immigration consequences, the policy states.
Guidance on the policy was distributed to school principals, who will distribute the information to their staff, Lessard said.
‘Going around the law’
Fowler argued that weighing in on immigration is outside the Board of Education’s purview. She also doesn’t want the school district to do anything that could be seen as “going around the law,” she said.
This new policy is also fear-mongering, as the district already has policies preventing anyone from entering without proper identification, and ICE is focused on criminals, Fowler said.
“It can’t always be ‘protect the kids’ if you can’t protect them outside of school,” she said.
Iovino, who attended the Immigration Community Meeting. on Jan. 6, said there are community members who are genuinely afraid.
“All this is to reassure people their children are safe,” he said about the policy.
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