Jan. 27, 2025
Dear Woodland Families,
We have received several inquiries from district families, staff members, and even students about how Woodland will handle any possible interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents at school. I sense the uncertainty that many are feeling, and I would like to reassure our families that Woodland is committed to protecting the right of every student to attend public school, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender identity, or immigration status of the student or of the student’s family members.
District and school leaders across Woodland have worked consistently throughout the year to promote inclusion, and together we have built a sense of belonging among our #LifeintheW family. That will not change. We are committed to ensuring Woodland remains a safe and supportive place for everyone, and our focus remains on providing a quality learning environment for ALL of our students.
I have been in contact with district legal counsel, local law enforcement, our neighboring school districts, and other education associations across the state. Together, we will continue to monitor this fluid situation; unfortunately we may not know for several weeks what changes the Federal Government intends to make, if these changes will be challenged in court, and how these decisions will ultimately affect schools in Illinois. In the meantime, we will continue to uphold individual student rights and privacy laws when a law enforcement official requests to interview students at school.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
We do not collect information on students’ immigration or citizenship status.
Students and families are not required to provide social security numbers on any student forms.
Student educational records are confidential under Federal and State law, and generally cannot be disclosed to authorities absent a court order.
We will not grant ICE agents entry to our schools unless they can produce and are executing a criminal warrant signed by a judge. Even when there is a criminal warrant, students have a right to have an attorney present before talking to ICE and are protected by their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
District Policy 7:150, Agency and Police Interviews, details guidelines for students speaking with law enforcement on District property.
Finally, if ICE agents were to come to any of our schools to interview a student, school leaders will refer the issue directly to the Associate Superintendent for Educational Services or me, and we will review the matter with the District’s legal counsel. We will not confirm if the student is in attendance, release student information, or make the student available for an interview.
Woodland values all members of our learning community, and we celebrate our diverse backgrounds and cultures. We are here to support you and connect you with resources if you need additional information or assistance. One resource you may find helpful is the Immigrant Justice Resource Hub. This website offers answers to immigration-related questions, and provides information to better understand your rights. Several of our Lake County community partners also provide a number of resources that you may find helpful: Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, Hispanic American Community Education and Services, Prairie State Legal Services, Catholic Charities, and the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.
The next several weeks and months will shed additional light on these procedures and the federal government's intent. We will update our procedures and the community as events warrant. Please know we will not waiver in our commitment to protecting our students through this uncertain time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent
Woodland D50