Green Bay Area Public School District building. (IMAGE: Courtesy of Fox 11 WLUK)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Green Bay Area Public School District released a statement Thursday in the wake of a federal directive that allows illegal immigrants to be arrested in “sensitive” areas like schools, churches and nonprofit shelters.
It’s a practice that was barred under former President Joe Biden’s administration, but has received the green light from President Donald Trump in his first few days back in the White House.
District officials say GBAPS has fielded concerns from the community about potential immigration enforcement and deportations taking place within Green Bay schools. According to the statement, GBAPS has been working to communicate with partners and staff members about the Board of Education’s policy and protocols regarding these issues.
Our first priority is to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff. Consistent with our established protocol, any visitors to our schools will be directed to the office. Visitors from government agencies or law enforcement will first meet with the principal to determine their purpose at the school. If a government agency or law enforcement requests access to a student, this will be conducted in accordance with Board Policy 445: Student Interviews with Non-School Personnel and state and federal law. The policy states that parents/guardians will be notified.
GBAPS complies with federal laws, which restrict District staff from asking families and students about their immigration/citizenship status; and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which limits GBAPS staff members from sharing student information.
Finally, we are committed to maintaining safe and welcoming schools, where our students and staff are engaged in learning. GBAPS’s mission is to educate ALL students to be college, career and community ready, inspired to succeed in our diverse world, and this remains our focus along with the well-being of each and every student and staff member.
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