Richmond Public Schools promises "safe haven" amid potential ICE raids
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Richmond Public Schools officials have begun reassuring families about potential immigration enforcement on campuses.
The big picture: RPS is the first Richmond-area school district to acknowledge the potential impact of the Trump administration saying ICE can raid schools to arrest undocumented children.
- The change ended a longstanding policy discouraging enforcement in areas like churches, schools, hospitals and funerals.
- And the possibility of ICE in schools can cause widespread fear, leading some students to skip — disrupting their education and threatening funding often tied to attendance.
The latest: In an email Monday morning, Superintendent Jason Kamras told students "RPS will always be a safe haven for you" and said "please don't fear coming to school because you fear being taken away," adding:
- Law enforcement will only be allowed on campus if it "enhances the safety and well-being" of students and staff.
- RPS will protect students' rights to privacy. It won't ask about immigration status and it won't be a barrier to accessing counseling, food or health care.
- Staff will be getting updated training on student protections and rights (though it's unclear what that will look like for now). RPS has also compiled an Immigration Resources Hub.
Zoom in: The hub includes emergency planning guides, immigration preparedness tool kits, an ICE detainee locator and a link to Red Cards, outlining people's rights, regardless of immigration status.
- RPS is also advising parents to list school emergency contacts who aren't immediate family and are U.S. citizens.
Between the lines: Chesterfield and Henrico schools, both of which have sizable immigrant populations, haven't told Axios whether they plan to release similar guidance to families.
- Neither has Hanover, which instead told Axios "While we will continue to adhere to all state and federal laws, our focus remains on supporting the well-being and education of every child in our care."
- A Henrico schools spokesperson shared a similar statement on Monday, saying "Our focus is on the academic success, safety, and well-being of all students, regardless of their immigration status or home language."
Yes, but: In a Tuesday night email to Chesterfield schools' families and staff, obtained by Axios, officials said ICE will need approval from the schools to enter campus.
- They added Chesterfield schools "remains committed to the safety and peace-of-mind of all students" regardless of immigration status and said they're not aware of any ICE efforts to arrest Chesterfield students or parents as of this week.
- On Wednesday night, Henrico schools became the latest Richmond-area district to assure families that all students are welcome regardless of immigration status and shared immigration resources.
Zoom out: Other school divisions across the country are taking harder lines against the policy reversal.
- Denver Public Schools is telling principals to lock down campuses if federal immigration agents try coming in.
- San Diego schools won't allow ICE access without a warrant.
What we're watching: An RPS spokesperson told Axios that with schools being out due to weather and the water crisis, they're not yet able to determine whether attendance has dropped in the predominantly Latino schools following Trump's executive orders.
Go deeper: Schools tell parents their kids are safe from ICE arrests on campus