A letter to parents from PA ISD regarding recent immigration policy changes

Published 3:50 pm Friday, January 31, 2025

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To ALL Parents and Guardians of Port Arthur Independent School District Students: 

As the landscape of immigration laws continues to evolve, we understand you may have questions and concerns regarding how these changes could impact our students and their education. It is our responsibility to ensure that you are informed about our position and the steps we are taking to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all students. 

Recent shifts in immigration policies have led to increased discussions about the rights and access of undocumented students in our education system. We want to emphasize: according to federal law, all children in the United States have the right to an education, regardless of their immigration status. The Port Arthur Independent School District is committed to upholding these laws and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn in a nurturing and supportive environment. 

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In light of these changes, it is important for our community to understand how the school district is responding: 

  1. Educational Access: We will continue to provide a safe educational environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status. Every student is welcome to attend school, participate in extracurricular activities, and access resources available to them.
  2. Confidentiality: We respect the privacy of our students and families. The school district does not collect information regarding the immigration status of our students, and we will not share such information with immigration authorities without a legal requirement to do so.

      3 .Support Services: We are committed to providing support services to our students and families during this time of uncertainty. If you have questions or need assistance, please do not             hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor or administrator.

  1. Open Communication: We encourage open communication within our community. If you have concerns about your child’s education or well-being, please let us know. We are here to listen and provide support.

We understand this is a challenging time for many families, but we want to assure you that we are here to support our students and to ensure their educational journey continues uninterrupted. We encourage you to send your children to school, where they will receive the education and support they deserve. Truancy laws still apply. 

Thank you for your continued trust in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Together, we can foster a safe and inclusive environment for all students.