Message from Board of Education Chair Branndon Jackson and Superintendent Millard House II
View January 28, 2025 message from Superintendent House
Read a letter from Superintendent House | Letter in Spanish | Letter in French
Every child has the right to a free public school education, regardless of immigration status. Our commitment to this fundamental principle is unwavering.
With more than 150 countries and languages represented across our district, our strength lies in the rich diversity of our students, families, and staff. We are proud to be a community that celebrates cultural differences, fosters inclusion, and recognizes the immeasurable contributions of all who call PGCPS home.
PGCPS does not ask about or disclose immigration status. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all students and their families, as required by federal and state law. As always, families may restrict what information PGCPS publicly shares about their student
Are schools required to report immigration status to government agencies?
No. PGCPS does not track the immigration status of students or their families. We protect all of our students’ constitutional and legal rights to keep their information private.
Are federal agencies allowed to conduct enforcement activities at school?
On January 20, 2025, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman issued two directives affecting long-standing federal policy that schools are “sensitive areas.” This means that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies may now conduct arrests, interviews, searches, surveillance, or other immigration enforcement activities at or near schools, although DHS “trusts them to use common sense.” PGCPS is assessing the impact of this proposed policy change.
If I am a parent or guardian and I am worried about being detained while my child is at school, what should I do?
In the event that a parent or guardian is detained during school hours, the school staff will keep students safe until an authorized adult can pick up the child. We recommend taking this opportunity to update your child’s emergency contact information at the school or in ParentVUE. All parents, regardless of their immigration status, should list emergency contacts who can pick up their children in case of an emergency.
What should I do if I want to understand my immigration rights?
Only immigration attorneys can provide you with accurate advice about immigration status and how you can pursue legal rights that you may have. Resources for legal assistance are listed here:
Language access is a parental right, and PGCPS has resources in place to ensure families have equitable access to information and services within the school system, regardless of their primary language.
The immigration law "Know Your Rights" sessions listed are not affiliated with or endorsed by Prince George's County Public Schools. These sessions are provided by external organizations and are shared solely as a resource for informational purposes.
Prince George's County Public Schools does not assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, or delivery of the sessions. For questions or concerns about these sessions, please contact the hosting organization directly.
| Event Date | Time | Event Title | Sponsoring Organization(s) | Registration required? | Link/registration info | Interpretation provided? | Contact information |
| Recorded webinar 1/14/25 | N/A | Immigration Know Your Rights Webinar | GLBTQ Legal Adovcates and Defenders (GLAD) Law, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project, and Ropes & Gray | N/A | https://www.glad.org/events/immigration-webinar/ | NO | gladlaw@glad.org |
| Recorded webinar 1/16/25 | Immigration Know Your Rights and Advocate Training | Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) | N/A | https://store.ilrc.org/immigration-know-your-rights-and-advocate-training | NO | ||
| 3/5/25 | 3:30-5:00pm EST | A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBINAR ON IMMIGRATION Understanding Immigration Policies and Helping Survivors of Violence | Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center & Tahirih Justice Center | YES | https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/z-iInzWTTNizS6uS3PxpZw#/registration | If you need language interpretation or have any questions, please contact the Middle Eastern Liaison for more information. | arwa.elboraei@montgomerycountymd.gov |
