Immigration and Refugee Resources

It is the commitment of the Johnston Community School District to express our deep concern for the well-being and safety of all our students. We are here to support your children and provide them with a safe and welcoming educational environment. We take seriously our responsibility to protect the privacy and confidentiality of student information, and we are dedicated to fostering a community where all students feel secure and valued.

We want to affirm to you that our District will be following any required legal guidance and authority we receive regarding the enforcement of federal immigration laws. However, please know the safety and privacy of our students is our top priority and we are committed to taking all lawful actions to uphold these principles.

Please be assured that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) law, we are required to limit access to student records and only disclose them under specific, lawful circumstances. Our Student Directory Information Policy (506.2) outlines what is considered information that can be shared with third parties without consent. If you do not wish that information to be shared about your child, you need to notify the school in writing. It is important to note that directory information does not include a student’s citizenship or immigration status.

Please find below some links with resources for immigrants and refugees that you may find helpful. As we learn more, we will continue to communicate with you and strive to be as transparent as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa

www.refugeeallianceofcentraliowa.org/join

2309 Euclid Avenue, CFYS, Des Moines, IA 50310

RACI@PolkCountyIowa.gov

(515) 286-3262

Legal Resources

Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice

https://www.iowammj.org/

2024 Forest Ave Suite 101,

Des Moines, IA 50311

(515) 255-9809

USCRI Des Moines (U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants)