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Immigration Issues and APS

Posted January 23, 2025, 12:35 PM. Updated January 29, 2025, 2:01 PM.

A look at policies and procedures in place to protect our students' rights.

Recent pronouncements on the national stage have prompted many pertinent questions about how Albuquerque Public Schools handles immigration-related issues. It’s a difficult time, but we want you to know this above all: We are responsible for all students’ safety and well-being while they are at school, and it’s a duty we take seriously.

Here are some key things to know on the subject:

  • APS believes every student deserves a safe, supportive learning environment.
  • Policy JL2 directs our actions on this front and others regarding student safety. The policy states “immigration officials shall not be on campus at any time.”
  • Procedural Directive PJ35 specifies that “any order or directive by immigration officials or local law enforcement officials to any district personnel to bring forth a student for interrogation on their immigration status or to provide any information about a student that may reveal the student’s citizenship or immigration status shall be denied and related immediately to the school principal and APS Police."
  • It should be noted that action would trigger the potential involvement of legal counsel and the superintendent.
  • APS does not collect nor keep records of any student’s immigration status.
  • The district has been conducting trainings to make certain principals and staff members are aware of these protocols and that they are being followed.
  • Neither the constitution of the state of New Mexico nor state law establishes citizenship as a requirement for school-age children to attend public school.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled citizenship status cannot be used to deny public school admission to school-age children.
  • APS schools cannot deny admission to a school-age child (up to age 21) on the basis of known or suspected undocumented status, or engage in any practice to deter or discourage the right of a student to attend public school.