E4E-NY Statement on Proposal to Keep Immigration Authorities Out Of Sensitive Locations and Protect the Universal Right to Education

Evan Stone, Co-Founder and CEO of Educators for Excellence, issued the following statement in response to Governor Hochul’s proposal to keep immigration authorities out of sensitive locations and protect every student’s right to a free public education regardless of immigration status:

“We applaud Governor Hochul for taking action to guarantee that New York’s schools remain safe, welcoming spaces where every student can learn free from fear. By strengthening protections for sensitive locations and preserving the right to a free public education regardless of immigration status, this proposal reinforces a fundamental principle: every child in New York deserves access to an education.

“Fear about safety hinders academic success. It can keep children out of school, disrupt learning, lower attendance, and undermine trust in our educators. Fear of ICE in and around schools impacts not only immigrant students, but also U.S. citizen children in mixed-status families and entire school communities. This proposal helps remove those barriers by ensuring that schools and the broader network of community spaces that support students remain focused on learning.

“Importantly, this action builds on a long-standing legal and moral commitment to educating all children. By codifying in state law the protections established under Plyer v. Doe, a Supreme Court ruling that has stood since 1982, New York is providing clarity, stability, and reassurance to students, families, and educators alike, regardless of shifting federal interpretations. We’re encouraged to see Governor Hochul take this step, and urge the NY State legislature to enshrine this policy into law through the budget process.”