The Durham board of education took a public stand on behalf of immigrant students and their families Thursday, affirming the district’s commitment to all students’ safety and privacy, regardless of immigration status. In a resolution passed on Thursday night, school system leaders vowed to restrict federal immigration agents’ access to school property and information regarding students and their families’ immigration status.
The arrival of federal immigration agents in Durham earlier this week magnified existing concerns over the safety of Durham Public Schools’ students and their families.
According to the district, over a fifth of DPS students missed school on Tuesday. The same day, community members and elected officials, including school board members Natalie Beyer and Bettina Umstead, swiftly mobilized to oppose the presence of federal immigration agents in Durham.
“We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our students and families feel safe, seen, and supported…,” Superintendent Anthony Lewis said Thursday, noting that he considered student safety more important than attendance rates. “This community is strongest when we face challenges together, and we will continue to walk alongside you in the days to come.”
Board member Emily Chavez led the efforts to draft the resolution. The Education Justice Alliance also provided guidance in crafting the language.
Crucially, the resolution states that federal immigration officers may enter school property “only upon presentation of a judicial warrant” and that requests for student records “must follow FERPA guidelines and be reviewed by legal counsel.” It further calls for mandatory staff training on responding to requests from immigration authorities, communication with families on their rights and available resources, and a review of district bullying-related policies and practices.
The original draft stipulated that the resolution “shall be posted in all school buildings and shared with students, families, and staff through the district’s usual communication channels.”
However, some board members, including Natalie Beyer, worried that federal agents might target schools that display overt anti-law enforcement signage. In the end, board members amended the resolution slightly, replacing the word “shall” with the word “may.”
After a brief discussion of other amendments, the board of education unanimously approved the resolution.
