RRPS issues statement on immigration enforcement

RIO RANCHO — On Jan. 31, Rio Rancho Public Schools sent a notification to parents concerning the district’s stance on immigration enforcement in schools, specifically the rights of teachers and students, and the jurisdiction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“At Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS), our top priority is providing students with a safe and secure learning environment,” the district stated in the email.

The notification went on to directly address questions and quell potential rumors.

“We understand concerns regarding increased immigration enforcement efforts nationwide and their potential impact on schools. However, we have received no reports of immigration enforcement activity on our campuses, nor have immigration officers contacted us,” the notification said. “At this time, we have no evidence suggesting any enforcement action is imminent in our schools.”

The district said it is monitoring developments at the local and national level and receiving guidance from the New Mexico Department of Justice and the New Mexico Public Education Department.

RRPS Interim Executive Director of Communications, Wyndham Kemsley, confirmed the district’s stance in an separate email to the Observer.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, supportive learning environments for all students,” said Kemsley.

The statement issued by RRPS is not unique. Many, if not all, the major school districts in the state have issued similar statements, taking similar stances.

APS and Las Cruces Public Schools posted their immigration policy and clarifications on Jan. 23. Santa Fe Public Schools and Taos Public Schools issued a statement on Jan. 28.

The recent rash of public statements are in response to several controversial executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in his first week in office. Those orders included declaring an emergency on the southern U.S. border; sending 1,500 Army and Marines personnel to assist border agents with policing; rolling back birthright citizenship; and removing ICE restrictions on enforcement in sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals and places of worship.

“President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: If you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X after the executive orders were signed.

RRPS’s email to parents outlined five clarifying points:

1. All students are welcome: Under the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision Plyler v. Doe, all children — regardless of immigration status — have the right to attend public primary and secondary schools. In New Mexico, every child is entitled to a free public education.

2. Schools are protected spaces: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers cannot enter a school to enforce immigration laws without a judicial warrant issued by a state or federal judge. Administrative warrants do not carry the same legal authority. This judicial oversight provides an additional layer of protection for students and staff.

3. District protocol: If an immigration officer contacts a school administrator, the administrator must verify the officer’s identity and request any legal documentation. These documents will then be forwarded to the district office for legal review to determine the appropriate course of action.

4. Student privacy: RRPS does not collect information regarding students’ or families’ immigration status. All student records are protected under the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and cannot be disclosed without a lawfully issued subpoena or court order.

5. Support for sudents: Counselors and social workers are available to assist any student experiencing stress or fear due to immigration-related concerns.

The email concludes by reminding parents to make sure all contact and emergency information is updated.