HCR20 • 2025

URGING DELAWARE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT CLEAR POLICIES REGARDING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY.

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Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Gorman
Last action: 2025-03-25
Official status: Passed 3/25/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official status shows the bill passed both chambers, but it is a concurrent resolution which typically does not have legal force like a statute.

Urging Delaware Schools to Create Clear Policies on Immigration Enforcement

This resolution urges Delaware schools to create rules that keep students safe, protect private data, and set limits on how immigration officials can interact with the school.

What This Bill Does

Asks schools to send all requests from civil immigration enforcement officers to the superintendent or charter leader.
Suggests a rule requiring a judicial warrant for immigration authorities to enter school grounds unless there is an emergency situation.
Recommends that school staff do not ask about or share information on student family members' immigration status with people outside the school.
Notes that students may voluntarily share their own immigration status, and schools may share this data only with written permission from a parent or guardian.
Requests that the Department of Education create sample policies to help local schools write clear rules.

Who It Names or Affects

Delaware public school districts
Charter schools in Delaware
School staff and administrators
The Delaware Department of Education

Terms To Know

House Concurrent Resolution: A formal statement passed by both the House and Senate that expresses an opinion or urge but does not create new laws.
Judicial Warrant: An official document signed by a judge that gives officials permission to enter private property or search for information.
Exigent Circumstances: Emergency situations where immediate action is needed, such as when someone's life is in danger.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution urges schools to act but does not force them by law because it is a statement of opinion rather than an enforceable statute.
The text suggests what policies should contain, but does not specify penalties for school staff who break the suggested rules.
It does not state when these policies must be in place or how long they will last.

Bill History

2025-03-25 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2025-03-20 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2025-03-20 Delaware General Assembly
Passed In House by Voice Vote

Official Summary Text

URGING DELAWARE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT CLEAR POLICIES REGARDING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY.
This House Concurrent Resolution urges Delaware schools and school districts to adopt and implement clear policies regarding immigration enforcement and emphasizes the importance of student safety and data privacy. It also requests that the Department of Education develop model policies to assist schools and school districts in the development and maintenance of clear guidance and messaging.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Gorman & Rep. Ortega & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Griffith, K. Johnson, Morrison, Ross Levin, Harris, Snyder-Hall; Sens. Hoffner, Townsend

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20

URGING DELAWARE SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT CLEAR POLICIES REGARDING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT SAFETY AND DATA PRIVACY.

WHEREAS, it is the mission of our public education system to prepare every student for success in college, career and life; and

WHEREAS, the law is well-settled that this obligation extends to all students, regardless of their immigration status; and

WHEREAS, Delaware is committed to providing all students with a high-quality, well-rounded, rigorous, and joyful education; and

WHEREAS, our schools and educators are best able to fulfill their mission when the school campus is a place of safety and security and one where children feel welcomed and supported; and

WHEREAS, students and staff deserve a safe and supportive space to process, grieve, share, reflect, and learn; and

WHEREAS, maintaining the security of personal student and family data is both required by law and a prerequisite for community trust.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153rd General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, that Delaware schools and school districts are urged to enact clear policies with respect to safe school premises and the protection of student data privacy in accordance with the principles set out herein.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that school and school district policy should contain the following:

(1) A requirement that all requests from civil immigration enforcement be referred to the superintendent or charter leader.

(2) A requirement that in the absence of exigent circumstances a judicial warrant is required for immigration authorities to access school premises.

(3) A prohibition on school staff asking about or sharing information with non-school personnel regarding a student or student’s family members’ immigration status.

A student may voluntarily share information about immigration status. School personnel may share immigration-related information with non-school personnel with written permission from a student’s parent or guardian.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that school board and school administrators are urged to ensure that all staff, students, and communities receive communications articulating school policy with respect to interactions with civil immigration authorities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is encouraged to develop and share model policies with schools and school districts that reinforce Delaware’s strong commitment to its educational community and provide clear guidance to local educators.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution urges Delaware schools and school districts to adopt and implement clear policies regarding immigration enforcement and emphasizes the importance of student safety and data privacy. It also requests that the Department of Education develop model policies to assist schools and school districts in the development and maintenance of clear guidance and messaging.