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Immigration Enforcement Activity - A Joint Statement from the City of Norwalk & Norwalk Public Schools

Immigration Enforcement Activity - A Joint Statement from the City of Norwalk & Norwalk Public Schools
NPS Communications

A Message to Norwalk Families

As the new school year begins, we want to reaffirm something that should never be in doubt: Norwalk’s schools are safe, welcoming places where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

We recognize that recent changes to immigration policies, including changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as well as increased immigration enforcement activity around the country, have created uncertainty and concern for some families in our community.
We want our students and families to know that you belong here, and your schools are here for you.

Norwalk Public Schools does not ask students or families to provide information about their immigration status as a condition of attending school. Student privacy is protected by federal and state law, and the district has established protocols for responding to requests for student information and to any law enforcement activity involving our schools.

The safety and well-being of our students will always be our highest priority. We will continue to work closely with our school leaders, staff, families, and community partners to ensure that our schools remain safe, supportive, and welcoming environments for every student.

We also encourage families to make sure their emergency contact information is current with Norwalk Public Schools and to familiarize themselves with the resources and information available to them (some are listed below). Families who have questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to their school or the district so that we can help connect them with appropriate resources.

Norwalk is a community built on the strength of its families, its diversity, and its commitment to one another. Every child deserves to feel safe walking into school each morning, and every family deserves to know that their community stands with them.

We are proud to stand together — as a City, as a school district, and as a community — in support of all of our students and families.

Mayor Barbara Smyth
City of Norwalk

Sandra Faioes
Interim Superintendent, Norwalk Public Schools

District Guidelines Regarding Non-Local Law Enforcement and ICE Actions

To safeguard our students and school environments, our district follows strict protocols:

  1. No Consent to Access: Our district does not consent to non-local law enforcement, including ICE, entering school facilities, accessing students, or reviewing student records without legal authority. School principals and staff are not authorized to grant such access without prior consultation with our Legal Counsel.
  2. Judicial Warrants Required: Only judicial warrants signed by a judge are recognized as valid. Administrative warrants are not sufficient to permit ICE to enter our schools. Any documentation presented by non-local law enforcement will be reviewed by Legal Counsel to determine its validity before any action is taken.
  3. Immediate Legal Review: If non-local law enforcement, including ICE, arrives at a school, they will remain outside the premises while the school security officer collects identifying information and consults with the school building leader. The building leader will then consult with Legal Counsel to determine the appropriate course of action. Access will not be granted without explicit authorization from Legal Counsel.

Protecting Student Records

Federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguard student records. These records cannot be shared with law enforcement without a valid court order, subpoena, or the informed written consent of a parent or guardian (or the student, if 18 or older).

Local Resources for Assistance