First appearance on FOXEmail exchanges between D.C. Public Schools officials offer a glimpse into the strain D.C. schools are facing as sanctuary cities struggle with an influx of migrants to the nation’s capital.
The emails, obtained by Parents Defending Education through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request and shared with Fox News Digital, show many of the challenges the agency faces, including finding placements and ensuring enough bilingual staff.
The emails covered 2022 and 2023, coming at a time when the number of migrants at the border was increasing and Texas Governor Greg Abbott began bussing migrants to “sanctuary” cities across the country, starting with Washington, DC.
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Migrants from Central and South America board a van near the residence of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris after being dropped off in Washington, DC, on September 15, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“As [Language Acquisition Division] “We continue to support the needs of immigrant students and their school instruction/SEL needs, but are struggling to find available seating/school placements within 45 minutes of the temporary hotel location,” the April 2023 report states.
“There are pending enrollment fund requests for schools that are currently being processed. However, the number of families arriving in Washington with children in need of emergency assistance is growing more rapidly than Homeland Security and Immigration Services anticipated, making the need for additional enrollment funds even more urgent.”
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The report showed that several grade levels in several schools in the district were at capacity and could not accommodate additional students, though the report noted that families reported “high levels of satisfaction with all school placements.”
The 2022 email shows a staff member in DCPS’ elementary school office warning that one school had experienced an “influx of ELLs.” [English Language Learner] Some students are non-English speaking and teachers need instructional support with strategies to support students.”
Another email concerns “increasing challenges with school placement for immigrant students.”
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This 2022 email indicates “increased challenges with school placement for immigrant students.” (FOIA/Parents for Education)
That November 2022 email noted there has been an increase in families with multiple children, with 10 to 12 new students per day.
“Currently, it is proving extremely difficult to secure seats in all required grade levels,” the report states, “and families have had to be separated in terms of school placement (especially those with primary and secondary school children) as they strive to get all siblings to attend the same school.”
“Several principals were contacted yesterday regarding the placement of students in grades that are at or over capacity,” the official said.
For more coverage on the border security crisis, click here
On Wednesday, April 13, 2022, a group of migrants traveled by bus from Texas to Washington, DC, and were dropped off a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. (Fox News)
The email, from the director of academic programming for English language learners, noted an urgent need for additional classes and faculty, including classroom teachers, at one school.
“I will be returning to Days Inn [where migrants were being housed] A similar number of new students are expected to enroll next week. “With cold temperatures and limited warm-weather clothing, having the option of a closer school makes sense for families.”
The email shows officials pleading for transportation assistance to help migrant children get to school. (FOIA/Parents for Education)
Another email from March 2023 said the district expects to admit 100 more students by the end of the year and is investigating seating availability while asking “how to secure transportation for this district emergency” and “how to handle exceeding class capacity.”
A chart obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows 155 new immigrants enrolled at the four schools, with another 120 expected to enroll. A January 2023 email said slots for additional staff had already been exhausted. Another chart from February 2023 shows 70, 50, 80 and 25 immigrants enrolled at the four schools, respectively, with no additional capacity.
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Cities hit by large influxes of migrants have blamed the crisis on buses sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, but Parents Defending Education argues it’s due to poor enforcement of immigration laws.
“The clear consequence of failing to enforce immigration laws is that schools are inundated with high-needs students, many of whom speak different languages and have little or no experience with formal schooling,” Erica Sange, outreach director for Parents Defending Education, said in a statement.
“It’s an intolerable and entirely predictable burden for schools to bear, and it’s not unique to D.C.”
DC Public Schools did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, but a spokesperson said: He told Axios About 400 students from immigrant families enrolled in the school in October.
It’s the latest sign of ongoing tensions facing a city with a large immigrant influx, as New York City officials consider ending sanctuary policies that are seen as contributing to the hardships caused by the mass immigration.
