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Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina said city schools would protect the rights of families and children enrolled, regardless of their background and immigration status. (Staten Island Advance)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Seeking to reassure parents concerned about President Donald Trump's immigration policies, City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina sent home a letter Monday advising that the city and the Department of Education would protect the rights of every child enrolled in the public school system, regardless of ethnic or religious background or family immigration status.
The strongly-worded letter, also signed off by Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, was translated into ten languages.
"The United States Supreme Court has recognized the importance of public education for all students, including undocumented students," the letter reads.
"Whether you or your family arrived 100 years or 100 days ago -- you are New Yorkers -- and we stand with you."
Farina outlined the policy steps DOE has taken to protect the rights of immigrant children and families -- reiterating the steps in e-mails to principals and administrators.
The DOE, she said, will not keep records of a child or family's immigration status; will not grant unlimited access to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff, and will not release student information unless required by law.
Additionally, families and anyone within the school system who needs immigration legal services will be referred to ActionNYC, a community-based program that offers free, immigration legal help in several languages.
She also directed school staff to "investigate and take swift action" on "any incident of harassment, bullying, and discrimination" reported.
The DOE has also expanded its website to include specific information on immigration policies for parents and families.