Iowa City Community School District

Educational Services Center

Stephen F. Murley Superintendent of Schools
1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 688-1000 Fax (319) 688-1009 www.iowacityschools.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding Students of

Undocumented and Immigrant Families
Q: How will the Presidents recent executive orders on immigration affect my child or my
family if we do not have lawful immigration status?

A: The effect of these executive orders is not yet clear. If you have questions regarding how the
changes could impact you, it is best to consult with an immigration attorney. Also, a list of
resources with additional information can be found at the end of this page.

Q: How does my child's immigration status or my immigration status affect my child's

ability to attend school?

A: Immigration status has no effect. All children, regardless of a child's immigration status or
the immigration status of that child's parent, have the right to a public education at the primary
and secondary levels. Equal access to public education, including the ability to attend school and
graduate upon completion of high school, is required under the Constitution and federal
law. The U.S. Department of Education's website contains additional information about this
right. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa has also prepared additional information
about this right.

Q: How does the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) ensure that no student or
family is discriminated against or harassed because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or
national origin?

A: The ICCSD's policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, or
national origin in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices. The ICCSD also
has a Department of Equity that helps fulfill the District's commitment and obligation not to
discriminate and also helps to keep students, parents, and District staff informed about their civil
rights and responsibilities under the law.

The ICCSD Board of Education is committed to providing a safe and civil school environment in
which all members of the school community are treated with dignity and respect. As a result,
harassment and bullying of students, school employees, applicants, vendors, visitors, and/or
volunteers are not tolerated and the Board has in place policies, procedures, and practices that are
designed to reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment as well as processes and procedures to
deal with incidents of bullying and harassment.
 Iowa City Community School District
Educational Services Center
Stephen F. Murley Superintendent of Schools
1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 688-1000 Fax (319) 688-1009 www.iowacityschools.org

Q: What should I do if I feel like I have been the victim of discrimination or harassment?

A: Individuals who feel like they have been the victim of discrimination or harassment should
follow the guidance and procedures established by the ICCSD and should report the incident to a
school official. Also, questions may be directed to Kingsley Botchway II, Director of Equity,
1725 N. Dodge St., Iowa City, IA 52245, 319-688-1000,
botchway.kingsley@iowacityschools.org.

Q: Can the ICCSD ask about a childs immigration status?

A. Yes, but only during the enrollment process. The ICCSD may ask about a child's immigration
status during the enrollment process if the child has a non-immigrant, or temporary,
visa. However, the ICCSD may not otherwise question a child about his or her immigration
status or demand to see proof of legal immigration status. A parent or child may refuse to
provide information about the child's immigration status if that child is a resident of the district
and does not have a non-immigrant visa.

During the enrollment process in the ICCSD, parents must present the following documentation:

Proof of the child's date of birth (for example, birth certificate, adoption record, certified
statement of a physician, or an immunization record with birth date);
The child's immunization records;
Educational history information (for example - name and address of school child
previously attended);
Proof of address (for example - rental agreement, utility bill, or other document showing
the family's current residence).

A child does NOT need a social security number to be enrolled in the ICCSD.

Q: Could the ICCSD ever share our childs immigration status with the federal
immigration officials?

A: No, the ICCSD will not share students' immigration status with federal immigration officials
for the purpose of enforcement of the immigration law. Individual students' educational records
are protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The ICCSD policy on
Student Records Access can be found here.
 Iowa City Community School District
Educational Services Center
Stephen F. Murley Superintendent of Schools
1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 688-1000 Fax (319) 688-1009 www.iowacityschools.org

Q: Will my child lose eligibility to ride the bus to school, for free or reduced-priced lunch,
for special education services, for ELL, etc.?

A: No. A child's immigration status has no effect on the child's eligibility to ride the bus to
school. Iowa law requires that the ICCSD provide transportation to all resident pupils attending
school, with limited exceptions. A child's immigration status similarly has no effect the child's
eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, eligibility for English Language Learning help, or
eligibility for special education services.

Q: What will happen to my child if he or she has DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals)?

A: At the present time, no changes have been made to the DACA program. However, the DACA
program was instituted by executive order of former President Obama, and can similarly be
cancelled by an executive order from the current president, without Congressional
authorization. If your child has DACA, you should speak with an immigration attorney to
discuss whether your child has other options.

Q: Where can I learn more about my immigration rights?

A: You should contact an immigration attorney for accurate advice about your immigration
rights. To protect your rights and avoid scams, rely only upon advice from attorneys or
persons with verifiable training or experience in immigration law and procedures. You can
search for attorneys licensed in Iowa here, and immigration attorneys here.

Q: Where can I find additional information about immigration issues?

A: Many organizations have additional information and resources available relating to

immigration issues. A list of some of those resources is available below.

Additional Immigration Resources:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services - https://www.uscis.gov/

DACA Information - https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-deferred-action-

childhood-arrivals-daca
 Iowa City Community School District
Educational Services Center
Stephen F. Murley Superintendent of Schools
1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 688-1000 Fax (319) 688-1009 www.iowacityschools.org

Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Status Information - https://www.uscis.gov/green-

card/special-immigrant-juveniles/special-immigrant-juveniles-sij-status
Asylum Information - https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Information -
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/battered-spouse-children-parents
U-Visa Information - https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/victims-human-trafficking-
other-crimes/victims-criminal-activity-u-nonimmigrant-status/victims-criminal-activity-
u-nonimmigrant-status

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - https://www.ice.gov/

ICE News - https://www.ice.gov/news/overview

ICE Online Detainee Locator - https://locator.ice.gov/odls/homePage.do

United States Department of Education - http://www.ed.gov/

Educational Services for Immigrant Children and Those Recently Arrived to the United
States - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/unaccompanied-children.html
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) -
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Iowa Department of Education - https://www.educateiowa.gov/

Laws and Regulations - https://www.educateiowa.gov/laws-and-regulations

State Board of Education - https://www.educateiowa.gov/about-iowa-state-boards-
education

Iowa Department of Human Services - https://dhs.iowa.gov/

Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (HAWK-I) Program - https://dhs.iowa.gov/hawk-i

Iowa Medicaid - https://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/about

Nonprofit Organizations and Other Community Resources -

Johnson County's Community ID Program - http://www.johnson-

county.com/dept_community_id.aspx?id=18367
Iowa City Human Rights Commission - https://www.icgov.org/city-
government/boards/human-rights-commission
Welcome to the Iowa City Area - http://welcomeicarea.org/
Friendship Community Project - https://fcp-iowa.org/
IC Compassion - http://www.iccompassion.org/
 Iowa City Community School District
Educational Services Center
Stephen F. Murley Superintendent of Schools
1725 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52245 (319) 688-1000 Fax (319) 688-1009 www.iowacityschools.org

Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors - http://www.iowajfon.org/about-us/

Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa - http://www.cwjiowa.org/#
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County - http://www.ncjc.org/
University of Iowa Center for Diversity and Enrichment -
https://diversity.uiowa.edu/office/center-diversity-and-enrichment
University of Iowa Center for Human Rights - https://uichr.uiowa.edu/
University of Iowa, International Student and Scholar Services -
https://international.uiowa.edu/isss
League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa - http://www.lulaciowa.org/
American Friends Service Committee - https://www.afsc.org/program/iowa-immigrant-
rights-program
Diocese of Davenport Immigration Program - https://davenportdiocese.org/immigration-
program

Revised: 2/13/2017