27-01-2025
Asheville City Schools commits to 'supportive' environment amid immigration policy worries
Asheville City Schools commits to 'supportive' environment amid immigration policy worries
ASHEVILLE - After President Donald Trump's administration authorized federal authorities to conduct immigration arrests on school campuses, Asheville City Schools sent a letter to parents emphasizing a commitment to provide a supportive environment for all students.
On Jan. 21, the Department of Homeland Security officially rescinded a protocol that prevented federal agents from conducting immigration enforcement at 'sensitive locations,' such as schools and churches.
'Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest,' a DHS spokesperson said. 'The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense.'
The letter Jan. 24 said new immigration regulations 'may' impact some families within ACS. Spokesperson Kimberly Dechant told the Citizen Times Jan. 24 that city school parents are concerned 'for the safety and well-being of their children during this unprecedented time.'
The school district has not received updated guidance from the North Carolina School Board regarding any issues that may arise under the new regulation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Dechant. Staff has been told to follow the same guidelines sent out in November, until updated guidelines are set by legal counsel.
'We understand that these changes can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty,' the letter said.
'We want to emphasize that Asheville City Schools remains firmly committed to providing a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status.'
More: Judge blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order, calling it 'blatantly unconstitutional'
The National Education Association on Tuesday circulated new advice for school leaders dealing with the fallout of Trump's immigration orders. The association warned that if the policies are implemented as promised, it will likely harm learning environments through increased absences, decreased student achievement and parents becoming less involved in their student's education.
NEA 'strongly encourages' schools to adopt Safe Zone policies, which provide guidance on what educators and staff should do if ICE engages in immigration enforcement at schools.
Asheville's school district has not enacted this type of policy, but the memo from ACS attorneys gives information on what staff "can legally do to protect our students," Dechant said.
The letter encouraged families to reach out to school counselors or principals with any questions or concerns, emphasizing that school staff is "here to support you and your family in any way we can."
The Citizen Times reached out to Buncombe County Schools but did not receive a response before press time.
More: Trump administration authorizes immigration enforcement on school campuses
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@ and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
