In a significant policy shift, Chicago Public Schools has implemented new guidelines permitting students without legal immigration status to be marked as excused when absent due to fears of immigration enforcement.
New Absence Policy Details
According to an internal document obtained by education watchdog Defending Education, schools can now excuse absences when parents attribute them to concerns about federal immigration authorities. The policy explicitly states: "If a parent/guardian reports an absence and attributes it to fear of federal representative-related procedures, schools CAN excuse the absence under 'concern for student health and safety'".
Notably, there is no time limit applied to this excuse category, meaning parents could theoretically keep children home indefinitely under this provision. The district has established multiple methods for reporting such absences, including signed notes, phone calls to the district office, or electronically submitted forms.
Broader Immigration Context in Chicago
This policy change occurs against a backdrop of intensified immigration enforcement in the Chicago area. Operation Midway Blitz, conducted in September, resulted in 614 immigrant arrests by federal authorities. According to Chicago Tribune reports, an overwhelming 97% of those detained had no criminal convictions, with only 16 individuals meeting the Justice Department's threshold for being considered 'high public safety risks'.
The Chicago public school system, which received nearly $1.7 billion in federal funding for fiscal year 2024, has become a focal point in the national debate about immigration enforcement in educational settings.
Community Response and Legal Challenges
Chicago has witnessed substantial protests against immigration policies, particularly outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, a suburb of the city. Since mid-October, dozens of protesters have been arrested during sustained demonstrations at this location.
Among those facing legal consequences is Kat Abughazaleh, an Illinois congressional candidate captured on video being thrown to the ground by an ICE agent outside the facility on September 26. Prosecutors allege she and five others surrounded a government vehicle with intent to impede federal agents. All defendants have pleaded not guilty, with Abughazaleh characterising the case as politically motivated prosecution.
The policy also includes provisions for situations where parents are directly impacted by immigration raids, allowing them to designate alternative guardians who can then request excused absences on the child's behalf. School officials have been instructed to maintain strict confidentiality, with the directive noting that "additional information should not be provided in the memo box to respect student/family confidentiality".
