Advocacy groups demand change in residency requirements, but school administrators maintain policy is necessary.
In the wake of Massachusetts' ongoing migrant influx, the Saugus School District has become embroiled in a heated debate over its residency policy for students. Advocacy groups have demanded changes to the policy, alleging that it violates state and federal law and disproportionately affects immigrant families.
The controversy erupted after the Lawyers for Civil Rights and Massachusetts Advocates for Children sent a letter to school administrators in Saugus, challenging the requirement that pupils be "legal residents whose actual residence is in Saugus" and that guardians must provide passports or other government photo IDs. The advocacy groups argued that the policy, which went into effect prior to the 2023-2024 school year, exceeds scholastic authority and discourages immigrant families from participating in the census due to stigma or fear of immigration consequences.
Migrant Policy Controversy Roils Saugus School District
However, school administrators have defended the policy, stating that it is necessary to ensure that students actually reside in Saugus and that the district has sufficient resources to accommodate them. Board chair Vincent Serino dismissed claims made by the advocacy groups as false, according to the Boston Herald.
The dispute has heightened tensions in the community, with some residents expressing sympathy for the plight of migrants and others voicing concerns about the impact on local resources. The school policy also notes its stipulations exempt students covered under federal homeless assistance legislation, but the advocacy groups maintain that the policy still disproportionately harms immigrant families.
Migrant Policy Controversy Roils Saugus School District
The Saugus School District's policy is not an isolated case. Similar controversies have arisen in other Massachusetts towns, including Norfolk, where officials briefly stipulated that migrant children living in a former state prison-turned-shelter would not be enrolled in local schools. The decision was later reversed.
The migrant influx has put a strain on Massachusetts' resources, leading to state-imposed shelter limits and calls for the repeal of the "right-to-shelter" law. Governor Maura Healey has blamed the federal government for the crisis, saying that Congress has failed to address the issue.
Migrant Policy Controversy Roils Saugus School District
The Saugus School District's policy remains a contentious issue, with the district facing mounting pressure to make changes. The outcome of the dispute will have implications for other school districts in Massachusetts and across the country grappling with the challenges posed by the migrant influx.
