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Immigration Resources for Families

APS is committed to supporting our students and ensuring that they feel safe and supported at school.

APS welcomes all students, regardless of their country of origin, native language, religious, ethnic, social, disability or sexual identity. We value and appreciate Arlington’s diversity for the varied perspectives, history and culture that our immigrant and native families bring to APS. We welcome every student who lives in Arlington, and we are committed to doing our best to ensure that all children achieve their best and are prepared to thrive in our multicultural and global world.

  • APS does not require any information about the legal status of ANY of our students in alignment with federal law. Our mission remains to serve ALL children in our community.
  • APS schools & offices adhere to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student information.
  • APS will not tolerate discrimination or intolerance in school, and we will do everything we can to provide support and resources to ensure the safety of our students and families.
  • We encourage ALL students to continue to come to school every day.

The Arlington School Board and APS leadership will continue to urge our national and state leaders to support legislation to protect the rights of our immigrant families. All APS administrators and school staff, including our principals, teachers, counselors, classroom assistants, social workers and other members of our APS team, are here to support EVERY student or family who needs help.

We believe that America’s diversity is a major strength and a key component of what makes our nation great. We are grateful for the privilege of serving the Arlington community and we value your continued care and support.

APS Policies That Guide Our Work

Several APS policies articulate our promise for ensuring that schools are caring, safe and welcoming:

  • APS is committed to providing an excellent public education to every school-aged student residing in Arlington County. In 1982, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that public schools may not deny access to any child, whether present in the United States legally or otherwise. As educators, APS has always acknowledged our legal and, more importantly, our moral obligation to provide an education to all students who live in our community.
  • The APS Bullying & Harassment Prevention Policy clearly states that, “APS is committed to creating a safe, caring, respectful learning environment for all students.  Bullying or harassment of students, including bullying based on an actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and mental, physical, or sensory disability, is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.”
  • We will continue to keep all of our principals and administrators up to date about current issues; provide them support in addressing questions; and communicate with them about steps to keep students safe at school.
  • We also will continue to work with all of our families and staff to provide a supportive, caring and respectful school environment so our children can continue to learn and grow without fear. Families may contact your principal if you have questions or need support. We may not immediately have all of the answers, but we will work with you to address your concerns.
  • Visiting schools: Identification is required for visitors and volunteers to enter an APS school building, to keep our students and staff safe. All parents and legal guardians who are listed on a student’s Synergy account may request to go through an alternate identification process at their child’s school; we continue to hope that all parents and guardians always feel welcome to visit their students’ schools. For more information about visiting our schools and required identification, talk with someone at your child’s school.

 

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Planning for Families

Standby Guardianship Form
Families can use this form to name a standby guardian, who can temporarily take care of a minor child if the parent/guardian cannot do so due to a specific event, called a “triggering event.” This could include:

  • incapacitation due to illness or injury
  • death
  • detention, deportation, or incarceration

Families wishing to establish a standby guardian should complete Section 1 of the form. Please note that the requirement for a notarized signature is optional.

  • Families may provide a copy of Section 1 to their School Registrar if they want to ensure a smooth transition if there is a triggering event.

In the event that a triggering event takes place, a copy of Section 1 will need to be provided to the Welcome Center  (if not already provided) and the students enrolled under Kinship Care.

The standby guardian should note that they will need to file a petition with the courts within 30 days of the event to maintain guardianship.  Section 2 of the form will assist standby guardians with their court petitions.


Update your emergency contact information in ParentVUE

We encourage all families to update their information and emergency contacts in ParentVUE, this ensures that we can connect with you to support your student’s education. View this Emergency Contacts PVUE Guide with steps to update emergency contacts in the ParentVUE mobile app.

Frequently Asked Questions

What impact does immigration status have on my student’s education?

All children in the United States have a constitutional right to free public education, regardless of their immigration status or their parents’ status. This right is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and cannot be taken away by the president, Congress, or state legislatures. Schools must provide equal access to education for every child without discrimination.

Does Arlington Public Schools require a student’s immigration status for enrollment?

No. Public schools enroll all students regardless of their immigration status and cannot discriminate based on race, color, or national origin.

Would the school division share a student’s immigration status with federal immigration officials?

APS does not ask for a student’s immigration status when enrolling, therefore cannot share it with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. If we receive a request for student information, we work to protect students’ rights and keep their information private in alignment with federal law and the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). Only parents/guardians, educators with legitimate educational interest, or students who are 18+ have access to review individual school records.

What should I do if I'm a parent or guardian and I'm worried about being detained while my student is at school?

  • Plan: Talk to a trusted friend, relative, or neighbor who can step in, if needed, to take care of your child.
  • Emergency Contacts: Make sure the school has updated emergency contact information. Contact your school’s registrar if you need help.

 

What should I do if I feel like my student, or I have been the victim of discrimination or harassment?

APS is committed to ensuring all students learn and thrive in safe, healthy, and supportive environments. If your student reports experiencing any form of bullying, discrimination or harassment, please report the situation. Contact your school or fill out the Bullying and Harassment form.

Arlington Public Schools Disclaimer

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, nor is it intended to be a complete listing of available resources. All information, material, and suggested resources are for general informational purposes only. APS does not recommend, endorse, or assume liability for the content, advice, representation decisions, or practice of the third-party sites. Users should consult with relevant professionals for specific advice on their situation.