Protections for Immigration Students at RSD

Protections for Immigration Students at RSD

The Richland School District is committed to providing our students with a safe and inclusive environment for learning.

This morning, we sent a message out to all RSD staff regarding recent guidance from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. OSPI released their Protections for Immigrant Students in Washington’s K-12 Public Schools document on January 23, which provided guidelines to ensure schools prioritize student safety, protect rights, and comply with legal requirements.

Public school districts in Washington state have a constitutional duty and moral obligation to provide free, high-quality education to all students residing within our boundaries. State and federal law prohibit public school districts from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin. State law further prohibits discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status. When a student is enrolled in RSD schools, we do not ask or record information about their immigration status. 

Washington public schools also cannot initiate engagement with federal immigration authorities to share student information, as it is inconsistent with constitutional mandates to serve every student.

We want to encourage our families and the community to read through the recent document released from OSPI: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2025-01/protections-immigrant-students-washington-public-schools.pdf

School Resources for Students

  • Anonymous Safety Reporting: All school and district websites feature an anonymous safety reporting link displayed at the top of each page. Students and parents can send an email, text, or make a phone call to report safety issues such as harassment, threats, bullying, and mental health concerns. The safety tip line can be accessed at www.rsd.edu/tip.
  • Policy and Procedure for Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying of Students: Schools are meant to be safe and inclusive environments where all students are protected from Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB), including in the classroom, on the school bus, in school sports, and during other school activities. Read the district policies and learn to report bullying at www.rsd.edu/district/notifications/harassment-bullying
  • Non-Discrimination Notice: The Richland School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This applies to all educational programs, extra-curricular activities, and employment. Learn more at www.rsd.edu/district/notifications/non-discrimination.

Community Resources For Families

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is hosting a 'Preparing for Immigration Changes' community event on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Ochoa Middle School (1801 E. Sheppard St., Pasco).

This free event will provide:

  • Information on basic rights.
  • Legal defense resources.
  • Options for DACA recipients.
  • Guidance on establishing personal and family documentation.  

Tri-Cities Immigration Support Organizations

Additional Resources