State agency ‘to do everything we can to protect students,’ no matter their citizenship status

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released its guidance on state and federal protections for immigrant students in Washington’s K-12 public schools Thursday.

In its statement, OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal said the Washington agency will do what it can to safeguard all the students regardless of whether or not they are U.S. citizens.

“In Washington state, we will do everything we can to protect our students, no matter their citizenship status,” Reykdal said in the statement. “Our State Constitution ensures access to a basic education for every child residing within our state’s borders. Our Constitution does not identify citizenship as a qualification to receive an education.”

Reykdal added his office has received many questions from all over the state about where it stands since Donald Trump took office Monday as the United States’ 47th president. The agency’s goals remain the same: supporting the state’s students and their families.

“We are receiving a lot of questions and concerns from schools, families, legislators, community members, and other partners,” Reykdal said. “As we monitor the actions of the new federal administration, I want to be clear: Washington state is and will remain a state that is unequivocally committed to supporting all of our students and their families.”

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Key practices expected for Washington public schools

In addition to its statement, the agency published its official guidance online as a PDF document that can be viewed here. It includes four key practices for public schools in four different areas.

Under the “enrollment” area, Washington public schools are expected to, “Enroll all students, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, in a timely manner,” the guidance document states.

Looking at “data and record collection,” the document explains state schools are expected to “Collect only data and records required for enrollment purposes and necessary for a student to receive educational services.” Going further, the agency said state schools should not “require or create an impression” that social security numbers or birth certificates are required to enroll or continue enrollment.

In the “services” area, OSPI’s guidance states Washington’s public schools need to provide all enrolled students the same services, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Schools should not “chill” any student’s access to school access and services.

Finally, under the “student privacy” area, the agency’s document reminds state citizens that schools have no legal authority to enforce U.S. immigration laws. Additionally, Washington schools should not be requiring students and/or their family members to answer questions regarding their immigration status.

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The OSPI press statement also explained it is aware of reports about schools in other states being used to detain and/or identify undocumented students. But, to this point, the agency has not confirmed if that sort of activity has been occurring in Washington or nationwide.

“OSPI is trying to determine the validity of these reports and whether this practice is happening in Washington state,” the statement reads.

The agency reported guidance from the Washington Attorney General’s Office, based on state laws, prohibits the state’s public schools from “initiating engagement with immigration authorities for the purpose of sharing student information.”

Reykdal also expressed support for Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s lawsuit to challenge Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship. A Seattle federal judge temporarily blocked that order Thursday.

“I applaud Attorney General Brown for his swift action this week,” Reykdal said.

The OSPI statement concluded with Reykdal noting the nation’s history with diversity in public schools and the state’s interest in maintaining that going forward.

“Our public schools are a place where students from all different backgrounds come together to learn side-by-side,” Reykdal stated. “This is the rich diversity that America is known for, and we intend to uphold these values in the months and years ahead.”

Steve Coogan is the lead editor of MyNorthwest. You can read more of his stories here. Follow Steve on X, or email him here.