January 2026
Dear Families,
As an immigrant myself, I know how essential our school communities are to immigrant students and families—and how much our immigrant students and families contribute to our schools.
At New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), we provide a robust, inclusive, and supportive education to every student and family, regardless of immigration status.
As a reminder, NYCPS does not provide non-local law enforcement with access to students, school facilities, or records unless required by law, and only after consultation with NYCPS’ lawyers.
In New York City, our schools are safe places for our children. If any student or family has questions or concerns related to an immigration incident, we encourage them to reach out to their school’s principal to be connected with the appropriate supports.
We also have many resources available to our staff and families through our Project Open Arms initiative, which provides support to immigrant students and their families. For more information, visit https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/know-your-rights/project-open-arms/
Additionally, NYCPS continues to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). We encourage families to use the MOIA Legal Support Hotline at 1-800-354-0365 or visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/ to learn more.
As your Chancellor, I am committed to ensuring our schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for students and families.
