Dear DPS Community,
Cities and school districts across the country are experiencing an increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), particularly in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland. Just last week, the National Guard was deployed in Chicago to aid ICE in enforcing deportation operations. While Denver is not currently impacted by a deployment of the federal military, it’s important that we not only prepare ourselves for the possibility, but ground ourselves in the policies and procedures that allow us to support our community.
This letter is not meant to create panic, though this is a heavy topic that brings anxiety and fear for many of us; especially our Black and Brown communities. Rather, it is to reassure that Denver Public Schools will continue our ongoing work with city agencies and community organizations to support our scholars, families and staff to ensure our community’s constitutional rights are respected.
Ensuring the Safety of Our Students
DPS will continue to follow our policies and procedures for safeguarding our scholars in the event that there is ICE presence at a school.
DPS does not collect the immigration status of our families. This is in alignment with DPS Administrative Policy JRA/JRC-R and Colorado Law SB25-276.
Based upon current DPS Administrative Policy JIH, federal immigration law enforcement activities are not permitted at our schools, on transportation routes, on DPS property, or during school activities unless they have a lawful search warrant or exigent circumstances.
Per Administrative Policy KI, to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter buildings with wrongful intent, all school visitors shall report to the school office when entering and receive authorization before visiting elsewhere in the building. No individual should be permitted to enter the building without ascertaining whether the individual has a legitimate business or educational purpose.
Staff have specific protocols that they must follow if a government official requests to enter the building. This guidance does not allow entry into any building without a valid judicial warrant.
Although staff are expected to operate in accordance with these policies, staff will not physically impede, interfere with or obstruct a government official in performing their duties.
Resources and Important Rights Information
Remember, all people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. If you have not reviewed any of the listed resources below, I strongly encourage everyone to do so.
The Family Resource Toolkit and Student Resource Toolkit is available in several languages, and contain information and resources about Know Your Rights, current DPS policies, training, guidance for specific situations, mental health support and a list of community resources.
A Family Legal Webinar recording is available on the Safe and Welcoming webpage in English and Spanish.
Printable Rights Cards are available in multiple languages. If your school does not have cards available, they can help print them out.
The Family Action Plan, available in English and Spanish, can help families create a personalized plan. Please make sure to share the plan with children who are of age and any emergency contacts you have listed in Parent Portal.
A preparation packet in both English and Spanish is available from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
All families are encouraged to review and update their emergency contact information through the Parent Portal or their school’s main office. Follow the step-by-step guide (in English and Spanish) to add, remove or modify emergency contacts. Please read the steps in this guide carefully.
Denver Public Schools remains unwavering in our commitment to providing our scholars the highest-quality education in schools that are safe, welcoming, inclusive and supportive.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent