photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift, talks with former school board president Shannon Kimball during a meet and greet on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.

In a recent Friday, the Lawrence school district committed itself to supporting all students, regardless of immigration status, after the Trump Administration removed limits on immigration enforcement near schools.

The letter was sent by interim Superintendent Jeanice Swift after the Department of Homeland Security announced that it would rescind guidance restricting arrests in or near “sensitive” locations. This change means that officers enforcing immigration laws are now allowed to make arrests in or near places such as schools and churches, as the Journal-World reported.

The Kansas State Department of Education issued a statement on Thursday reminding school personnel that their ultimate responsibility is the education and protection of all students and that all students have a constitutionally protected right to receive an education. Swift noted in her letter that despite recent announcements, the law and the practice in Lawrence Public Schools have not changed.

“Our school district teams work every day to ensure that all children are welcomed, embraced and valued as important members of our USD 497 learning community in each of our classrooms and schools,” Swift said in the letter. “This fundamental core value and practice remains firm today.”

Swift added that members of the Lawrence school district team will continue to follow the law and adhere to board-approved policies when it comes to investigations and/or arrests on school grounds.

“In keeping with the law, we will not share any student data without a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order,” Swift said in the letter. “We will continue to abide by all state and federal laws in protecting student information and ensuring student safety.”

Swift added that the district is honored to work and live in a diverse, international school environment and valued this as a gift that enriches the community.

“We understand that many of our children and families are experiencing concern as a result of recent national developments, and we will continue to reassure all within our community of our ongoing engagement and support,” Swift said in the letter. “As is true every day, our school teams, teachers and principals remain ready to support our children and families who are experiencing concerns.”

A separate letter was also sent to teachers and staff on Friday saying that a child’s immigration status will have no impact whatsoever on their education in Lawrence Public Schools. The Lawrence Public Schools policy remains that no individual or organization will be permitted to enter a school site if their visit would disrupt the educational environment.

Swift stated in her letter to staff that any request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, state or local law enforcement acting on behalf of ICE, or any other federal, state, or local agency enforcing federal immigration laws to visit a school site should be directed to the superintendent’s office. The request will be reviewed to determine whether site access is legally permitted, if a signed judicial warrant is required, or if other legal factors need to be considered. This review would take place before any immigration law enforcement or officer appears at a school site.

If ICE or other immigration law enforcement agents request student information, the request will be referred to the superintendent’s office to ensure compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, student constitutional privacy, standards for a judicial warrant, and any other limitations on disclosure. All of this will be determined before any information is disclosed, Swift said.