Maryland State Department of Education Provides Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Actions at Maryland Schools
The following communication will go to all contacts in our Mass Notification System on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email:
The Maryland State Department of Education distributed a memo entitled, “Immigration Enforcement Actions at Maryland Schools: A Guide for Students, Families, and Local Education Agencies” on January 23, 2025. The contents of the guide are shared below. This guide is being implemented and followed by HCPS administrators, and we want to ensure that all HCPS staff, students, and families are aware and have an opportunity to review the guide.
From State Superintendent Dr. Carey M. Wright:
“As State Superintendent of Schools, I want to ensure that every student—regardless of immigration status—receives the support they need from our educational system. Every child deserves access to a quality education, and it is our responsibility to uphold that right.
To that end, it is crucial that we provide clear guidance on how to best support immigrant students in our schools, including key topics such as student rights, school registration processes, and how to respond to requests from immigration authorities or law enforcement. In this communication, I will address these important issues to ensure that all members of our school communities are informed, prepared, and able to support immigrant students in a safe, respectful, and legally compliant manner. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring the safety of all Maryland students.
Student Rights
? All children have a right to equal access to a free public education, regardless of the immigration status of the child or their parent/guardian.
? While schools may require proof of residency within the district, information about citizenship or immigration status is never needed for school enrollment.
? Federal and state laws protect education records and personal information. These laws generally require written consent from parents/guardians before releasing information, unless it is for educational purposes, otherwise authorized by law, or in response to a court order or subpoena.
? Some schools collect and make public “directory information” about students, such as name, address, email address, and phone number. If this is a practice, the local educational agency (LEA) must provide parents or guardians with written notice of its directory information policy and provide the option to refuse release of their child’s information. The notice must effectively notify parents who have a primary or home language other than English.
? Students, parents, and guardians have the right to report a hate crime or file a complaint to the school district or the State Superintendent if they or their child has been discriminated against based on national origin.
School Registration
? State education law entitles children ages five years old and under 21 years old who have not received a high school diploma to attend the public schools in the LEA in which they reside without paying tuition.
? Undocumented children, like U.S. citizen/resident children, have the right to attend school full time, as long as they meet the age and residency requirements established by state law.
? The U.S. Supreme Court held in Plyler v. Doe (1982) that schools may not deny students a free public education on the basis of their undocumented or non-citizen status, or that of their parents or guardians.
? At the time of registration, schools should not ask questions related to a parent or student’s immigration status nor request a Social Security number.
? Although LEAs should collect certain data pursuant to state and/or federal laws, they should do so after a student has enrolled in school so as not to give the impression that information related to immigration status will be used in making enrollment determinations.
Requests from Immigration Authorities or Law Enforcement at a School
? Various laws impose legal duties on the LEA with respect to law enforcement questioning students at school and the confidentiality of student records, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.08.02.
? Local school officials should cooperate with law enforcement and federal immigration authorities in accordance with their LEA policies and guidelines and in consultation with their attorneys.
? Upon receipt of a request from immigration officials to access student education records, LEAs should immediately consult with their attorneys, to ensure compliance with FERPA and COMAR 13A.08.02 regarding the release of personally identifiable information (PII) in a student’s education records without the consent of the parent or eligible student.
? Before fulfilling a request from federal immigration authorities or law enforcement to enforce immigration laws, LEA employees should immediately contact the local superintendent and school attorneys for legal advice.
? If federal immigration officials or law enforcement enter a school building seeking access to students (for interviews and/or questioning), school personnel should contact the local superintendent immediately for guidance. School personnel should not argue or debate with immigration enforcement officials but should direct them to the local superintendent or designated administrator for further action.
? LEA personnel should immediately notify the student’s parent or guardian if an immigration official or law enforcement officer requests or gains access to a student for immigration-enforcement purposes, unless such access was following a judicial warrant or subpoena that restricts the disclosure of the information to the parent or guardian.
Training for School Personnel
? LEAs should establish training regarding immigration issues for teachers, school administrators, and school staff, including information on responding to a request from an immigration or law enforcement officer seeking to enforce immigration laws at a school or to access a student or student records.
Resources for Families
? Parents/guardians can update their child’s emergency contact information at school, including secondary contacts, to identify a trusted adult who can care for their child if they are detained or deported. They can also identify a “standby guardian” to care for their child if they are detained or deported, by completing this Maryland Judiciary form and providing a copy to schools, health care providers, and family members.
? Families trying to locate someone who has already been detained, may use the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainee locator.
? Legal assistance is available from a variety of sources, including immigration lawyers in private practice, accredited representatives (non-attorneys who assist individuals in immigration proceedings), and legal-aid organizations:
The People’s Law Library of Maryland
Immigration Advocates Network
? Several immigration organizations have prepared comprehensive guidance on preparing for and responding to immigration enforcement actions:
Family Preparedness Plans
ACLU Know Your Rights: Immigrant Rights Scenarios
Catholic Legal Immigration Network Rapid Response Toolkit
USAHello 2025 Immigration Guide
? Families also may wish to contact the consulate or embassy of their country of origin for further information.”
FEV Tutor Ceases Operation
The following communication was sent to all parents and guardians of students in grades 3-12 on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message.
This weekend, Harford County Public Schools was informed FEV Tutor, a service many of our students and families utilize for academic support, has ceased operations. This change went into effect on January 25, 2025.
As a result, all scheduled tutoring sessions, including the SAT prep course that was set to begin Monday, January 27, 2025, have been canceled. Information regarding FEV Tutor is being removed from the HCPS website.
FEV Tutor provided the following explanation to HCPS staff:
“Why did this happen?
The final months of 2024 brought significant financial challenges, including lower-than-expected sales and a sudden shift in capital commitments from our lender. Despite exhaustive efforts, we were unable to secure the resources needed to continue operations.
What about our students?
FEV Tutor ceased operations as of January 25, 2025. Unfortunately, all scheduled tutoring sessions have been cancelled as part of the shutdown.”
Given the abrupt nature of this situation, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find or implement a comparable solution at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause your family and appreciate your understanding as we work through this unexpected challenge.
Board of Education Budget Public Input Session
HCPS 2025-2026 Color-Coded Calendar Available Online
CTE Family Informational Night
The following communication was sent to all parents and guardians of students in grades 4-7 on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, and app push alert.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Career and Technology Education (CTE) Office will host an informational event for students and families about the programs of study within comprehensive high schools, as well as HCPS Signature and Magnet programs. The event, designed for students in grades 4-7, will be at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will run from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Students and families will circulate this fair-style event to speak with representatives from each of the ten MSDE-recognized Career Clusters including Maryland Youth Apprenticeship and Harford Youth Workforce Investment. Current students and teachers will be available to engage students in demonstrations, showcasing how CTE innovatively prepares students for opportunities beyond high school.
The following Maryland State Department of Education recognized programs of study will be represented: Arts, Media and Communications; Business Management, Finance and Entrepreneurship; Health and Human Services; Natural Resources and Agricultural Science; and Science, Engineering and Technology.
For more information about the event, and the programs offered within Harford County Public Schools, visit the CTE webpage on hcps.org.
No Virtual Instruction on Inclement Weather Days
The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text message, and app push alert:
For the 2024-2025 school year, there will be no virtual instruction on inclement weather days.
There are six inclement weather days built into the 2024-2025 school calendar. Per the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), those in-person makeup days would need to be used BEFORE we could utilize virtual instruction. Rather than extend the school year beyond the six built in inclement weather days, HCPS will request a waiver of the 180-day requirement from the state, if needed.
Harford Glen Open Houses
The following communication will be sent to parents of all 5th grade students on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message.
Your student will take part in an amazing opportunity at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. The Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program is an overnight program and part of your student’s Environmental Stewardship unit. The hands-on learning opportunities at Harford Glen cannot be replicated in the classroom.
Staff at Harford Glen will host eight Open Houses for you to bring your student, learn about the program and visit the facility.
Each Open House is approximately 30 minutes and self-guided, allowing you to explore the grounds and facilities on your own. Harford Glen staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Open House dates:
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 21, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 21, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
If Harford County Public Schools closes schools on any of the above dates, the Open House that day will be canceled.
For more information about the Harford Glen programs, click here.
Harford Glen Environmental Education Center Open House
The following message will be sent to families of rising 5th grade students on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. via email.
During the 2024-2025 school year, your student will have the opportunity to experience the Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center.
Please save the date to visit and explore Harford Glen prior to your student’s experience. The Open Houses allow you to learn about the program and the property prior to your student participating in the program.
Open House dates:
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
- Monday, December 21, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 21, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.