Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) are committed to protecting the rights of all students to have access to a free, public education regardless of their or a family member’s immigration status. We believe every student deserves to feel welcome, safe, and valued; and we are committed to elevating tolerance, inclusiveness, and kindness to all students and families at all CPS schools.

In 2019, as a result of the CTU/CPS bargaining agreement, we declared our schools to be sanctuary schools. Three years later, this commitment is as important as ever as Chicago welcomes hundreds of new arrivals.

Although the issue of immigration is currently heightened in the media, we know this is an issue that impacts our students and families on a daily basis. We are writing to ensure that you are aware of the following provisions to protect our students and their families:

CPS buildings and school grounds are sanctuary spaces for all students, parents, employees, and community members at the school for school-related business.
School personnel should make the registration process as easy as possible and should families not have a permanent address, staff should follow the STLS guidance.
School personnel shall not inquire about or record a student’s or a family member’s immigration status, nor shall CPS collect or retain information regarding the immigration status of any CPS students or their families. Except by a court order, CPS shall not disclose to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any information regarding the immigration status of any CPS student. CPS will not disclose to anyone other than ICE any immigration information pertaining to any CPS student except pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). CPS recognizes the trust families place in them and shall not voluntarily disclose information to immigration agents to the fullest extent possible under the law.
ICE agents are not permitted to enter CPS school grounds or to obtain or review CPS records, unless they provide to CPS administration their credentials, the reason they are requesting access, and a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. CPS shall not admit ICE agents based upon an administrative warrant, ICE detainer, or other document issued by an agency enforcing civil immigration law.
CPS staff will be trained on how to appropriately respond to ICE agents requesting entry to school property, and proactive steps to aid students and families in obtaining assistance with immigration issues.
Our hope is that CPS’ commitment not to inquire about or collect students’ or family members’ immigration status will instill the confidence and security in parents to register and enroll their children in CPS; we also hope it will encourage immigrant parents to volunteer and be active in their children’s schools. The CTU/CPS Joint Bilingual Education Committee will provide ongoing recommendations for ways CPS can remove any remaining obstacles to volunteer opportunities for parents of English Language Learners.

CPS and CTU are also committed to connecting students and their families with organizations that can assist with immigration and citizenship status matters. A list of such resources is below:

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
228 S. Wabash, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604 – 312-332-7360
https://www.icirr.org/
Romero Center
6216 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60660 – Phone: 773-508-5399
https://centroromero.org/
Communities United
4749 N. Kedzie Ave., 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60625 – Phone: 773-583-1387
www.communitiesunited.orgInstitute of Latin Progress

2520 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 – Phone: 773- 890-0055
www.institutochicago.org
Latinas in Action

2124 W. 21st Place Chicago, IL 60608 – Phone: 773-890-7676
www.mujereslatinasenaccion.org
United African Organization
4910 S. King Drive, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL. 60615 – Phone: 312-949-9980
www.uniteafricans.org
Vietnamese Association of Illinois
5110 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 – Phone – 773-728-3700
https://hnvi.org/
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
33 North Dearborn St., Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602 – Phone: 312-332-1624
www.cvls.org
Legal Aid Chicago
120 S La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60604 – Phone: 312-341-1070
https://www.legalaidchicago.org/
Greater Chicago Legal Clinic
17 North State Street, Suite 1710, Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: 312-726-2938
www.gclclaw.org
The Village Defends Itself
http://littlevillagecommunityportal.org/la-villita-se-defiende
Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
4477 S. Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL 60632 – Phone: 773-523-7110
www.bpncchicago.org
Chicago Link
2759 S Harding Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60623 – Phone: 773-943-7570
www.enlacechicago.org
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
4716 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 – Phone: 773-271-0899
www.advancingjustice-chicago.org
Southwest Organizing Project
2558 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, IL 60629 – Phone: 773-471-8208
www.swopchicago.org
Southside Together Organizing for Power
602 E. 61st St., Chicago, IL 60637 – Phone: 773-217-9598
www.STOPchicago.org
Michoacan House
1638 S. Blue Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608 – Phone: 312-491-9317
MICHOACAN HOUSE
National Immigrant Justice Center
224 S Michigan Ave Ste 600, Chicago, IL 60604 – Phone: 312-660-1370
https://immigrantjustice.org
If you have questions about CPS Sanctuary School’s commitment or any of these resources, the Counselor at your school should be your first point of contact. We pledge to do everything we can to make every child feel valued and welcomed so they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, and so they will be a generation that moves our society toward justice, promotes tolerance, and embraces the diversity that makes us strong. Additionally, if you would like to assist the displaced families that have recently arrived in Chicago, donations are being accepted at CPS Headquarters, 42 W. Madison, Casa Michoacan, 1638 S. Blue Island, and the Chicago Teachers Union, 1901 W. Carroll Avenue, Chicago, Il. 60612
Sincerely yours,

Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools

Bogdana Chkoumbova
Chief Education Officer
Chicago Public Schools

Stacy Davis Gates
President
Chicago Teachers Union

Jackson Potter
Vice President
Chicago Teachers Union