Topeka Kansas | January 23, 2025
By Claudia Amaro
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) issued a statement on Thursday in response to the recent directive from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) eliminating limitations on immigration enforcement actions in sensitive areas, such as schools, hospitals, and churches.
KSDE assured that while policies have changed, the law remains intact, and DHS has not expanded its authority. Additionally, it reaffirmed its commitment to protecting students’ constitutional right to an education and ensuring their safety.
“Schools have the primary responsibility of educating and protecting all students,” KSDE stated, emphasizing that no student information will be shared without a valid court order, subpoena, or parental consent.
Planeta Venus contacted María Kury, Spanish Communications Specialist for Wichita Public Schools (USD259), to learn the stance of the largest school district in the state on the matter. Kury explained that the district is closely monitoring changes related to immigration policies and the DHS.
“The third goal of the district’s strategic plan includes our commitment to creating and continuing to foster safe learning environments where all students feel they belong,” Kury noted.
Protocol for the Presence of Law Enforcement in Schools
Kury detailed the procedures followed when a law enforcement officer—whether police, a sheriff, or an immigration agent—arrives at any district school:
“All agencies, whether county law enforcement, the police department, or immigration agencies, have the right to enter our schools’ parking lots, lobbies, or main offices. They cannot go beyond those areas without a court order,” Kury explained.
According to Kury, the district administration has worked extensively to ensure that all school staff, including principals, teachers, and administrators, know what to do if an immigration agent requests information about undocumented students.
“First of all, we don’t know or have that information because it’s not required. The state of Kansas does not require us to ask for a Social Security number or a student’s immigration status. We only ask for a birth certificate from any country to verify the student’s age,” she emphasized.
Resources for Families
Kury mentioned that the district is compiling a list of resources and local organizations that can assist families in need. Additionally, she urged parents to update emergency contact information through the ParentVue app or directly at their children’s schools.
“If there is a detention, or parents don’t pick up their children, and emergency contacts don’t respond, the minors could be placed in state custody,” she warned.
Kury also made a call to stop the spread of false information:
“A lot of false information is being shared on social media. I kindly ask parents not to share or forward unverified messages. If you see a notice about ICE activity near a school, send it directly to our Facebook page so we can verify it. Our commitment is to make our schools safe places, but we don’t want fear and misinformation to spread,” she concluded.
KSDE Recommendations for Kansas Schools
Update emergency contact information: Ensure that all family contact information is current.
Follow school board policies: Staff must adhere to district-approved policies regarding investigations or arrests on school grounds.
Protect student privacy: No student information can be shared without parental consent or a valid court order.
KSDE urged schools to maintain community trust and continue complying with state and federal laws protecting student information and safety.
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