The website will educate the public on the rights of immigrant students, among other resources. (Photo by alexskopje/iStock Getty Images)
The Delaware Department of Education released a resource to help ease the nerves of educators, parents, and families in regard to immigration actions in the state’s public schools.
Secretary of Education Cindy Marten launched a website with guidance and resources.
The website includes information on immigrant student rights, support available for schools and educators, recommended action steps for Delaware schools, and links to state and national resources for schools and families.
“Students cannot focus on learning when they worry a classmate, sibling, or parent may be removed from their lives at any moment,” Marten said. “Educators already facing massive challenges cannot focus on their teaching when students are feeling confused, scared, and unsupported.”
She pointed out that Delaware has a long history of protecting immigrant students, and the state’s schools do not ask a student’s immigration status.
Immigrant student rights
It has been more than 40 years since the United States Supreme Court, in Plyler v. Doe, ruled public schools may not deny students access to their education based on their immigration status.
“As the secretary pointed out, longstanding federal and state laws prohibit schools from inquiring about the immigration status of students or their families,” said Joseph Fulgham, director of policy & communications for the House Republican Caucus.
A far more urgent issue, one that should concern everyone who benefits from Delaware’s public school system, is improving the quality of education, he said.
“By any objective standard, Delaware’s education system ranks from mediocre to poor,” Fulgham said. “This is the issue that demands immediate attention.”
Governor Matt Meyer, a former teacher, said he believes every child who enters a classroom should be known by their work ethic and their behavior toward others, not their ethnicity or immigration status.
“Every student has a right to feel safe, but the threat of raids by the federal government is stoking fear that harms the ability of all students to learn,” he said. “Fear prevents students from focusing and parents from participating fully in their education while creating barriers for our already overworked educators.”
He said Marten’s efforts will protect students from attempts to bully immigrant students and families through the threat of mass deportation raids.
“We’ve all had enough distractions,” he said. “Let’s get to work building a brighter future for every child and family who calls Delaware home.”
Visit the website to explore resources. Find a video message from Secretary Marten here.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
