FOX VALLEY, Wis. — As federal immigration authorities with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain undocumented immigrants nationwide in places of worship, medical facilities and schools, it has left some parents with questions.

Some school districts in the Fox Valley are addressing concerns, especially among undocumented immigrant families, regarding the immigration crackdown.  

Appleton School District Assistant Superintendent Mike Hernandez said he’s already having conversations about the impact.   

“The thing I tell my students that I work with is their education is theirs, and no one can take that away.”“There are obviously students that are that are nervous,” Hernandez said. “The thing I tell my students that I work with is their education is theirs, and no one can take that away.”

Hernandez said student safety is the district’s biggest responsibility.

“We still have the same processes that we’ve always had, as no individuals can come in and speak to our students without permission from their parents,” Hernandez said.

This has been a long-standing policy in Wisconsin. Geoffrey Lacey is an attorney specializing in immigration.

He said Wisconsin public schools have statutory authority to create a school access policy.

“You have to comply with a judicial warrant if one is presented. But other than that, you don’t have to allow law enforcement to use your school as a place for apprehending or inner interviewing students,” Lacey said.

Lacey said a common question from some parents is why the state is educating undocumented kids.

“Federal law has been unchanged for more than 40 some years now that immigration status can’t be taken into account for purposes of public education,” said Lacey.

The 1982 Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe ruled that states cannot deny undocumented students a free public education. Schools cannot ask about a student’s immigration status or take actions that could discourage enrollment. 

Lacey said federal immigration policies have changed and continue to change from administration to administration. 

Despite policy modifications, Oshkosh Assistant Superintendent Dr. Samuel Coleman said the district remains committed to student safety.

“We continue to align our efforts to make sure that all students experience school as a place that they feel safe in and where they feel that they belong. Our hearts go out to families and students who are experiencing the stress and anxiety that comes with wondering if they would be subject to deportation action,” Coleman said.

If you’re an undocumented parent, Lacey said you consult with an attorney and have a plan for your student.

“Provide your schools with additional points of contact so that they can make sure that your kids get to somebody who’s responsible and is authorized to take possession of your children,” Lacey said.

A Green Bay school official told Spectrum News their protocols regarding school visitors are:

• Maintain safe and welcoming schools
• Safeguarding student/staff privacy
• Support emotional well-being
• Communicating effectively

Lacey provided also provided a webinar link for more information on immigration in schools. You can watch that, here. Use the following passcode to watch: hB3dZF^b