Hunter
02/09/25
With the Trump Administration authorizing federal agents to carry out immigration raids in schools, the Iowa City Community School District is working to assure families that their students still have some protections.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen obtained a copy of an email sent out by Superintendent Matt Degner during the week of January 20th, outlining policies to protect student privacy and legal rights. In it, Degner said the district remains, quote, “deeply committed to creating equitable and inclusive learning environments where students feel safe and valued.”
All Iowa City students are entitled to free public education, regardless of their immigration status, and the district doesn’t require any information about a student’s immigration status. Degner said in the email that any requests from immigration officials requesting information or communicating with a student will go through the Superintendent’s office to ensure compliance with the law to safeguard student rights and privacy.
Degner also encouraged families to make sure their personal contact details, emergency contact information, and a list of who’s allowed to pick up their children from school are up to date.
The District also has a Support for Immigrant Students and Families tab on its webpage, www.iowacityschools.org.