Philly Students Say School District Response Leaves Immigrants "Unimportant"

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Key Takeaways

On February 27, 2025, students criticized the School District of Philadelphia for lacking adequate immigrant student protections amid heightened ICE activity.
Superintendent Watlington outlined a 4-step protocol for handling ICE agents but critics demand improved training, resources, and transparent communication.
Nearly 44% of staff reported no ICE-response training; advocates seek bilingual counselors, newcomer program expansions, and “Know Your Rights” workshops.

In recent months, growing fears among immigrant families in Philadelphia 🇺🇸 have led to mounting frustration with the School District of Philadelphia. Students, parents, teachers, and community advocates have voiced concerns about how the district is responding to immigration enforcement issues that directly affect immigrant students. These fears have been fueled largely by President Trump’s directive, which allows immigration officials to operate in areas previously considered off-limits, including schools. This has left many questioning whether schools can still be safe spaces for all children.

Students and Advocates Speak Out

Philly Students Say School District Response Leaves Immigrants "Unimportant" — Philly Students Say School District Response Leaves Immigrants “Unimportant”

At a pivotal Philadelphia Board of Education meeting held on February 27, 2025, the urgency of the situation simmered into bold criticism. Students and advocates expressed their disappointment, claiming that the district is falling short in making schools a safe space for immigrant students and their families.

Luis Ojeda, a student at Academy at Palumbo, did not mince words. He shared his frustration: “I am tired of my school district constantly making me and those around me feel unimportant. Kids are in class, worried for their parents and for themselves, and can’t focus.” The emotional toll of the issue was also highlighted by Dajana Qoshlli, a 14-year-old freshman from Central High School, who said schools were failing children. She stated that the fear of immigration arrests had led some parents to keep their kids out of school entirely, affecting attendance rates.

As anxiety spreads within the community, many students argue that the district’s actions so far have been too little, too late to address the real impact of potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on school grounds.

The School District’s Current Policies

In an effort to reassure families, Superintendent Tony Watlington outlined the district’s official protocols for handling interactions with immigration officials. According to Watlington, if school staff encounter ICE agents attempting to access a school, they are instructed to follow several steps:

Immediately contact the district’s legal counsel for guidance.
Review the agents’ documentation to verify if there is a properly signed subpoena or warrant.
Wait for further directions from the district’s legal team before taking any action.
Convene a safety team meeting and submit an incident report if necessary.

While these steps are intended to protect students, critics argue that more needs to be done to make immigrant students feel supported. They also highlight the fact that fears persist because staff preparedness and communication strategies remain inconsistent across the district.

Concerns About Training and Resources

One of the most contentious points is the adequacy of staff training on how to handle immigration enforcement situations. A survey conducted by the immigrant rights group Juntos revealed troubling gaps: nearly 44% of the district’s 150 educators, staff, and administrators reported that they had received no training about responding to potential ICE activity. Kurt Ostrow, a teacher in the district, shared his disappointment over canceled “Know Your Rights” sessions, calling it a lost opportunity to provide students and families with critical information.

Additionally, advocates have emphasized the importance of support systems that go beyond training. They have called for more bilingual counselors to help students cope with stress and uncertainty, along with expansions to newcomer programs specifically designed for recently arrived immigrant students. Another significant recommendation includes revitalizing the district’s Multilingual Assessment Center, a resource critical for helping immigrant families navigate the school enrollment process.

Recent Actions by the District

Superintendent Tony Watlington has taken noticeable steps to address these growing concerns. On January 27, 2025, Watlington reiterated the district’s stance against discrimination and emphasized its mission to create safe, welcoming school environments for all students—no matter their immigration status. To provide clarity to immigrant families, the district released a toolkit in early February 2025. This toolkit includes details about state and federal laws protecting student privacy and confirms that ICE cannot access student information without proper legal authority.

Moreover, the district has rolled out additional measures, such as mandatory online training for staff, in-person training sessions for principals, and focused support services for schools with a high concentration of immigrant students. Despite these steps, many believe the actions do not go far enough.

Persisting Criticism and Unease

While the School District of Philadelphia has taken some steps to address the problem, many challenges remain. Key criticisms among students and community members include:

Poor Communication: Students and parents often feel left in the dark about what the district is doing to ensure their safety. Some have said that the district should take a more public and proactive approach to sharing its policies.
Uneven Training: Despite efforts to mandate training courses for staff, there are still reports of educators being unprepared to guide students in crisis situations involving immigration enforcement.
Insufficient Mental Health Support: Students have repeatedly called for more counselors and mental health resources to address the stress caused by these issues.
Weak Public Stance: Critics believe the district could take a bolder stand by vocally opposing ICE activity near schools.

Combined, these challenges fuel doubts about whether the district is truly doing all it can to protect immigrant students.

Demands for Change

Students, parents, and educators have outlined clear steps they believe the district must take to regain trust and offer real protection. Their recommendations include:

Know Your Rights Workshops: These sessions would help students and their families understand what they can legally do if confronted by immigration authorities. Educators are already circulating a petition demanding that the district commit to offering such workshops regularly.
Action Plans for Schools: Community members are pressing schools to develop concrete plans detailing how staff can respond effectively to ICE actions and support children whose caregivers may face deportation.
Expanded Counseling Support: Adding more bilingual counselors and improving services like newcomer programs have been recurring demands.
Restoring Resources: Many want to see the Multilingual Assessment Center—once a vital resource for immigrant families—reopened and fully funded.
Ongoing Training: Advocates like former teacher Alisha Davis argue that teachers and staff need regular refresher courses on how to lawfully and compassionately handle situations involving ICE.

The Road Ahead

As of February 28, 2025, no confirmed incidents of ICE agents entering Philadelphia schools have been reported. However, the pervasive rumors circulating on social media have fueled anxiety across the city’s immigrant communities. These fears seem justified given that Pennsylvania Acting Education Secretary Carrie Rowe has confirmed the presence of ICE agents near schools, though not on school grounds.

The School District of Philadelphia now faces a critical test. With the public spotlight squarely on its actions, the district will need to prove that it can rise to the challenge of protecting and supporting its immigrant students. This involves not only complying with federal regulations but also going above and beyond to ensure that all students feel safe and supported.

For now, the district’s next steps are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping trust and security within its schools. By prioritizing transparent communication, consistent training, and bolstered support systems, the district has an opportunity to reassure students and families that schools will remain safe havens—regardless of their immigration status.

For more information on student privacy protections under federal law, readers can explore official guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education at Student Privacy Policy Office. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests this situation is a telling example of the complexities school districts face when attempting to balance legal obligations with moral commitments to their communities. It’s clear that this is a critical moment for all involved.

Learn Today

Immigration Enforcement → Actions taken by government agencies to identify, detain, or deport individuals violating immigration laws.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → U.S. agency enforcing immigration laws, focusing on border control, deportation, and homeland security matters.
Subpoena → A legal document requiring an individual to provide evidence or appear in court under penalty for refusal.
Multilingual Assessment Center → A resource center offering language assistance and enrollment support to immigrant families, especially in education systems.
Know Your Rights Workshops → Educational sessions informing individuals of their legal protections and options when interacting with law enforcement or immigration officials.

This Article in a Nutshell

Philadelphia’s immigrant families face anxiety as ICE presence looms near schools. Students call for action, urging the School District to strengthen safety measures, improve mental health resources, and restore trust. While policies exist, inconsistent training and communication leave communities vulnerable. The challenge: transforming schools into true sanctuaries amidst growing fears and uncertainties.
— By VisaVerge.com