OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington says it will not share student information regarding immigration status with federal officials in response to President Trump’s executive order allowing ICE to now arrest people at schools and churches.
The executive order was signed earlier this week and was one of many orders related to immigration and citizenship.
The new guidelines from the Superintendent of Public Instruction state that schools have no legal authority to enforce immigration laws and must enroll all students in the state, regardless of citizenship status.
“We are receiving a lot of questions and concerns from schools, families, legislators, community members, and other partners,” said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. “As we monitor the actions of the new federal administration, I want to be clear: Washington state is and will remain a state that is unequivocally committed to supporting all of our students and their families.”
The Attorney General’s Office prohibits Washington public schools from engaging with immigration authorities to share student information. It also requires public schools to have policies in place for when immigration authorities visit a school.
“In Washington state, we will do everything we can to protect our students, no matter their citizenship status,” Reykdal said. “Our State Constitution ensures access to a basic education for every child residing within our state’s borders. Our Constitution does not identify citizenship as a qualification to receive an education.”
Washington is one of 22 states currently suing over President Trump’s executive orders, including an order to end birthright citizenship.
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