The heads of eight school districts in Cumberland County reaffirmed their commitment Tuesday to follow federal law guaranteeing all students the right to a public education, regardless of immigration status.
The superintendents of Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth, Gorham, Scarborough, Brunswick and Westbrook schools responded to recent statements by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to a congressional committee.
DeVos said that school districts could decide for themselves whether to report students to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that prohibits public school districts from denying students an education based on their immigration status.
“Our districts are committed to serving all students who walk through our doors,” the superintendents said in a written statement. “Any action that would instill fear of school in our students is a violation of this constitutional requirement and sacred commitment.”
The superintendents said district officials don’t know and refrain from asking about students’ immigration status because it has no bearing on the full and equal education offered under the law.