Mass Deportation Plan Sparks LI School District's Vow To Support Kids

RIVERHEAD, NY — In light of a plan for mass deportation of immigrants following President Donald Trump's newly signed executive order, the Riverhead Central School District has sent a message to families outlining ways officials are working to keep students safe.

The letter was signed by James Scudder, president of the Board of Education, and Cheryl Pedisich, interim superintendent of schools: "The Riverhead school district, Board of Education and district administration are deeply committed to ensuring that our schools remain a safe and secure haven for all our students, regardless of their immigration status. We realize the new administration’s changes in federal immigration policies, including the potential for immigration enforcement in our schools, have understandably caused great concern within our Riverhead community. "

The letter continued: "As educators entrusted with the safety of your children while in our classrooms and on our school grounds, we fully accept that our foremost responsibility is to create a secure and supportive environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive without fear. Our schools are not just centers for education; they should be trusted spaces where our students and their families feel protected, respected, and valued. We believe that any action that disrupts or interferes in any way with this sanctity undermines our educational mission and promise to our students, their families and our community."

This week, the New York State Department of Education, the Office of the New York State Attorney General, and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul released a document, "New York State Guidance on Safeguarding the Rights Of Immigrant Students."

The OAG, SED and Hochul "share a longstanding commitment to safeguarding the rights of all students, including all non-citizen students. Our offices have previously issued guidance to school districts and state agencies on several topics to ensure that New York’s immigrant students have equal access to education and other public services. In light of recent threats of increased federal immigration actions in our communities, we write to reaffirm that schools should remain a safe haven where all students are welcomed and provided a free public education," the document read.

According to the Riverhead district, it is important to note that New York State law and federal protections guarantee the right to a free public education for all children, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

"These laws reaffirm that our schools must serve as places of inclusion and safety, contrary to whatever executive orders may be issued from the White House. Furthermore, New York State guidance has reiterated that immigration enforcement actions cannot occur on school grounds without proper legal documentation. We will adhere to this guidance in the strictest sense, calling upon our legal counsel to affirm the validity of any supposed legal documentation brought to the district by any federal agency before we commit to compliance," the letter read.

To address the "serious" concerns raised by the new White House executive orders, the Riverhead School District said it is "taking preemptive steps to support our students and their families."

Those steps include providing resources to help families understand their rights, and bringing in legal counsel to advise on how to respond appropriately to the challenges that might arise relative to the immigrant student population, "including the potential of ICE officers appearing at our schools' doorsteps."

The letter continued: "We are also reviewing and hardening, where necessary, our policies to protect the privacy of student information. Under no circumstances will personally identifiable student information be disclosed without proper legal justification, and only then with the approval of our district's legal counsel. We are committed to remaining steadfast and vigilant in upholding these protections."

District officials said they are also cooperating with state leaders to ensure that district policies and procedures align with best practices for safeguarding immigrant students.

"The Riverhead School District will always stand in defiance of any initiative, regardless of its source, that threatens the safety and well-being of any of our students. We will continue to advocate for our students and defend their absolute right to an education free from harassment, intimidation, or fear-mongering. It is our sacred vow to ensure that every child in our care feels safe, supported, and respected," Scudder and Pedisich said.