Chicago School District’s Attendance Policy for Undocumented Students

A school district in Chicago, known for its Democratic leadership and sanctuary city status, has implemented an attendance policy that addresses the concerns of undocumented immigrant students regarding federal immigration enforcement.

According to documents reviewed by Defending Education, students in Chicago public schools may be marked as “exempt” from classes if their parents express concerns about immigration issues. The policies were detailed in a document titled “Chicago Public Schools Attendance Coding for Safety Concerns Related to Federal Representative Activities.”

The Chicago Board of Education emphasized its commitment to creating a secure learning environment and stated that “strong protections and procedures” exist to safeguard students and staff. Interestingly, while these policies are linked to immigration enforcement, they also extend to interactions with all federal agents, including the National Guard.

As part of its identity as a “Welcoming City of Chicago,” the district does not inquire about immigration status nor does it cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. The district aims to mitigate fears surrounding federal actions while maintaining confidentiality for students and their families.

The document specifies that if a parent expresses concerns about fear from federal activities, schools may excuse the absence citing “concern for the health and safety of the student.” Parents are instructed to limit their absence requests to this phrase to protect their family’s privacy, and there’s no specified time frame on how long these absences can be utilized.

Additionally, if a parent or guardian is impacted by federal proceedings, a short-term guardian can request an exemption for the student. The policy also allows students to arrive late or leave early to avoid federal presence during school hours.

Moreover, students are permitted to attend civic events like demonstrations if they are excused from attending class. While the Illinois State Board of Education currently does not offer hybrid or remote options, CPS has indicated it will provide updates if that changes.

Critics, such as Kendall Teets from Defending Education, argue that this policy effectively communicates to families that fear of federal enforcement serves as an endless excuse for maintaining student absence without documentation. Teets believes this undermines both student education and the rule of law, asserting that public schools should prioritize attendance and accurate record-keeping rather than indirectly promoting truancy.

As of now, CPS has not responded to requests for further comment on this policy.