Richmond and Newport News Public Schools Fight For Their Students’ Safety With Crucial Resolution
RICHMOND, VA — Members of immigrant advocacy organization CASA are happy and proud that Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Newport News (NNPS) passed a resolution that strengthens protections for student privacy and creates a transparent process for handling immigration enforcement requests. Without this resolution in place Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be able to access the private information of all of the students in RPS and NNPS without discretion, but now they cannot and are held accountable.
By requiring all ICE requests to be reviewed by the Superintendent’s office, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) are reaffirming their commitment to protecting all their students. This ensures that student information is kept private and is only shared when absolutely necessary, aligning with the actions taken by both districts to safeguard student privacy and reinforce their dedication to maintaining a secure environment for all students. The RPSs New Board Policy also establishes a Rapid Response Team to assist students and families impacted by enforcement actions, in-turn reducing harm created by actions ICE may take. This is an incredibly important step in ensuring that schools, and the children within them, remain safe! While it won’t keep ICE from acting within RPS, this resolution should be praised for the security it will offer for all of the students, their families, and all of their information.
Rosie, a community leader at CASA, expressed her support for the resolution and its significance for immigrant communities:
“It’s reassuring to see our leadership take a proactive stand in defending the rights of immigrant communities. Education is a fundamental right, and due process must be upheld for all residents. In times of uncertainty, knowing that our city prioritizes safety, trust, and the well-being of our children gives me hope for a stronger, more united community. This is why I continue organizing—to keep building our voice and ensuring that our communities are heard, valued, and protected.”
“We thank Richmond and Newport News Public Schools for taking a strong stand to keep schools safe for all students,” said Virginia Director of CASA, Luis Aguilar. “In these extraordinary times, in which our community is being persecuted and politicians aim to humiliate a whole people by dehumanizing them, this type of resolution continues to uplift the human dignity of immigrants. We urge other localities to follow this example, human dignity is not negotiable, we must lead with our values.”
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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its power-building model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members.
