Immigration Resources for Families

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.

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.

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

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.

• 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.

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.